Tour of eastern NC blackberry industry

Picture of people at one of the new blackberry farms in Bladen Co.

Last week our lab group took a tour of the growing blackberry industry in eastern NC with the local county agent in Bladen Co, Bruce Mclean (thanks Bruce).  We were joined by staff from the Piedmont Research Station, Hort Crop Unit. 

Although blackberries are not new to this part of the state,  this new acreage is an exciting addition to our dynamic blackberry industry. Here are a few of the highlights...

• There are several new large plantings of 20 acres or more in the area and all will be under high tunnels when in fruit is being produced. 
  

•  Growers are using automated fertigation systems that can be run from cell phones remotely.

• 

• Some growers are planting Univ. of Arkansas cultivars including the new 'Caddo', one grower is testing some of the new USDA cultivars ('Eclipse' and 'Galaxy') others are planting proprietary cultivars.