Publication 360, Fruit Production Recommendations: Berry Crops

Excerpt from Publication 360, Fruit Production Recommendations 2008-09,
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Chapter 5 - Berry Crops

1. Berry Crop Nutrition
2. Blueberries, Highbush
   • pH requirements
   • Fertilizer for blueberries
     • Table 5-1. Amount of Sulphur Required to Lower Soil pH
     • Table 5-2. Nitrogen Requirements for Highbus Blueberries
     • Table 5-3. Phosphorus and Potassium Requirements for Highbus Blueberries, Strawberries, Raspberries, Currants, Gooseberries
   • Leaf analysis
     • Table 5-4. Standard Ranges for Nutrient Levels in Highbush Blueberry Leaves
3. Currants and Gooseberries
   • pH requirements
   • Fertilizer before planting
   • Fertilizer in established plantings
4. Raspberries
   • pH requirements
   • Fertilizer for raspberries
     • Table 5-5. Recommended Nitrogen Rates for Raspberries
   • Leaf analysis
     • Table 5-6. Ranges for Nutrient Levels in Raspberry Leaves
5. Strawberries
   • pH requirements
   • Fertilizer for new plantings (the planting year)
   • Fertilizer for established plantings
     • Table 5-7. Recommended Nitrogen Rates for Strawberries
   • Leaf analysis
     • Table 5-8. Optimum Nutrient Level Range of Strawberry Leaves
6. Micronutrients for Berry Crops
7. Blueberry Calendar (PDF 68 KB)
   • Dormant (late winter)
   • Early Spring, prior to bud break
   • Bud swell to pink bud
   • Green tip
   • Pink bud
   • First bloom
   • Petal fall
   • Fruit ripening
   • Table 5-9. Products Used on Blueberries
   • Table 5-10. Activity of Fungicides on Blueberry Diseases
8. Currant and Gooseberry Calendar (PDF 53 KB)
   • Just before blossoms open
   • Bloom
   • Postbloom: as soon as bloom is complete
   • 10 days after postbloom spray
   • Postharvest
   • Table 5-11. Products Used on Currants
   • Table 5-12. Disease Ratings on Selected Currant and Gooseberry Varieties
9. Raspberry Calendar (PDF 114 KB)
   • Delayed dormant to green tip
   • Prebloom (until blossoms open)
   • Bloom
   • Green fruit
   • Preharvest
   • Postharvest
   • Special Sprays: Early spring and/or fall
   • Table 5-13. Products Used on Raspberries
   • Table 5-14. Activity of Fungicides on Raspberry Diseases
   • Table 5-15. Activity of Insecticides on Raspberry Pests
10. Saskatoon Berry Calendar (PDF 78 KB)
    • Early bud break
    • Flower bud break
    • White tip
    • Bloom
    • Petal fall
    • Green fruit
    • After Harvest
11. Strawberry Calendar (Non-Bearing) (PDF 113 KB)
    • Early June
    • One month after planting and again once or twice at 2 week intervals
    • July to mid-August
    • Mid-August and again once or twice at 2-week intervals
    • Fall
12. Strawberry Calendar (Fruiting Years) (PDF 42KB)
    • When new growth appears
    • When flower buds are visible in the crown
    • As flower buds extend from crown
    • First bloom
    • 7 to 10 days after first bloom
    • Preharvest
    • Renovation (after mowing)
    • Renovation (after mowing, to new growth)
    • Mid-August and again once or twice at 2-week intervals
    • Fall
      • Table 5-17. Products Used on Strawberries
      • Table 5-18. Activity of Fungicides on Strawberry Diseases
      • Table 5-19. Activity of Insecticides on Strawberry Pests
    • Choosing a Miticide for Strawberries
      • Table 5-20. Miticides Registered on Strawberries
13. Management Practices to Reduce Pesticide Use
    • Between plantings
    • Before planting
    • Harvesting years, late April to early May
    • Harvesting year, mid to late May
    • Preharvest to harvest
    • Renovation
      • Table 5-21. Strawberry Variety Disease Ratings

Related Links

• OMAFRA Berry Crops Index page
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
• Pesticide Application and Safety
• Pesticide Companies and Agents
• Search the PMRA website
• Ontario Minor Use Program
• OMAFRA Publication 505: Ontario Weeds
• OMAFRA Publication 75: Guide To Weed Control: Berry Crops