Team Rubus: Winter Caneberry Checklist

Winter Caneberry Checklist 2020-21

This checklist was originally developed for blackberry growers in North Carolina. You may have to adjust your work activities either earlier or later depending on your location. For more detailed information, check the Southern Region Integrated Bramble Management Guide and the Southeast Regional Bramble Production Guide at: Link to SRSFC Caneberry IPM and Production Guides.

This list is intended as a general guide. However, it can be used to guide you to think about what types of activities occur at various times of the year. Check the items off as they get done. If you would like other items to be added to this list, send them to me and I will add them next time.

WINTER

Plant growth and development

Plant is not visibly growing during the winter months although many blackberries will retain their leaves through the winter
Some floral differentiation is occurring in the flower buds (i.e. they are forming flowers)
Low chilling cultivars can break bud in January after adequate winter chilling. You can monitor chilling hours accumulated in eight states in the eastern US by accessing this site: Link to Blackberry Chill Model

Developmental stages at this time of year as mentioned in the 2021 Southeast Regional Caneberries Integrated Management Guide are : 1. Dormant 2. Delayed dormant (swollen bud) to green tip.

Pruning and trellising

Pruning should occur in late winter. However, in some areas winter ice storms can do tremendous damage to plants and trellis systems. If you produce blackberries in one of these areas, pruning can take place early winter to help avoid severe damage.
Pruning and training videos can be found at:

Make trellis repairs after plants have defoliated but before pruning and training.
If you have a Rotating Arm Trellis, lay the canes to the ground. If you are in a colder region, have row covers available for protection from cold temperatures.

Erect types

Prune out the spent floricanes
Cut lateral branches back to 12-18”
Tie or weave canes to lower and upper wires
Thin canes to 4-8 canes/ hill (4 ft spacing)

Trailing types

Prune out spent floricanes
Tie or weave canes to wire so that they do not overlap
Prune side laterals to 12-18”
Thin canes to 6-8 hill (6-8 ft spacing)

Primocane fruiting raspberries and blackberries

Prune (mow) primocane fruiting types to ground level

Weed control

Check the 2021 Southeast Regional Caneberries Integrated Management Guide

for recommendations.

Many summer weed problems can be best managed in the fall and winter using preemergent herbicides. Determine what weeds have been or could be a problem in your area. Check with local extension agent for cultural or chemical means to control these weeds.

Insect and disease scouting

Check the 2021 Southeast Regional Caneberries Integrated Management Guide

for recommendations.

· Scout fields for insect and disease damage and remove those canes

Remove wild blackberries and raspberries by the roots if they are within 600 ft of your planting during the winter

Winter injury from cold

· Injury from cold temperatures can occur to the canes and buds throughout the winter. Most often the damage occurs in the spring after the winter chilling hours have accumulated.

· Review types of injury that can occur to the canes and buds. One site for cold injury information is the Team Rubus Blog.

Planting

Take soil tests to determine fertility needs for spring plantings.
There are new raspberry and blackberry cultivars available each year. If you have not tried them or it is not known how they will do in your region, it is best to order a small quantity to see how well they will perform in your area
For larger growers, prepare list of cultivars for 2022 plantings and order now. Smaller quantities of plants can be ordered in early 2021 for spring planting.
Nursery lists can be found at:

North American Raspberry and Blackberry Association
For a comprehensive nursery list for all small fruits, see Cornells Nursery Guide for Berry and Small Fruit Crops

Water management

Make repairs to irrigation system (check pumps, lines, etc)
Plants generally do not need supplemental water in winter

Marketing and miscellaneous

Order containers for next season
Make contacts for selling fruit next season

For more detailed information, check the Southern Region Integrated Caneberry Management Guide and the Southeast Regional Bramble Production Guide online version: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/southeast-regional-caneberry-production-guide

Or PDF version: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/show_ep3_pdf/1607523686/22996/

Attend grower meetings

North American Raspberry and Blackberry Association (virtual meeting in 2021)

https://www.raspberryblackberry.com/

SE Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference (Savannah meeting is virtual in 2021)

https://seregionalconference.org/