Small Fruits

CORE COMPETENCIES

At the end of these sessions you will be able to articulate and explain:

• The critical components of a suitable site for growing small fruits

• Fundamentals of growing strawberries; proper planting, early care, winter production and renovation strawberry beds; characteristics of recommended varieties

• Fundamentals of growing raspberries and blackberries; proper planting, early care, trellising and pruning of brambles; characteristics of recommended varieties

• Fundamentals of growing highbush blueberries; special soil needs, proper planting, early care and pruning; characteristics of recommended varieties

• Types of pruning cuts (heading and thinning) and how plants respond

• Why currants and gooseberries (Ribes family) are illegal to import and grow in parts of Maine

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SELECTED READINGS AND CONTENT

UMaine Extension Bulletins

• Growing Highbush Blueberries, Bulletin #2253
• Growing Raspberries and Blackberries, Bulletin #2066
• Growing Strawberries, Bulletin #2067
• Growing Rhubarb, Bulletin #2514
• Home Garden Lowbush Blueberry Planting Guide
• Raspberry and Blackberry Varieties for Maine, Bulletin #2172
• Strawberry Varieties for Maine, Bulletin #2184

UMaine Extension Videos

• Different Varieties of Raspberries, Part 1
• Different Varieties of Raspberries, Part 2
• Getting Strawberry Plants Ready for Winter
• Growing Grapes: Caring for Young Grape Vines
• Growing Grapes: Four Arm Kniffin System
• Growing Grapes: Umbrella Kniffin System
• How Do I Grow Strawberries in the Off-Season?
• How Do I Prune Raspberries?
• How to Grow Raspberries
• How to Grow Strawberries: Planting A Strawberry Bed
• How to Grow Strawberries: Renovating an Old Strawberry Bed
• How to Plant Raspberries
• How to Prune a Blueberry Bush
• Planting Blueberries
• Site Selection: How to Grow Blueberries

Additional Resources

• Growing Grapes in Wisconsin (select the yellow “view PDF” button to download a free copy)
• Highbush Blueberries FAQ | Planting Highbush Blueberries Check List | Growing Highbush Blueberry Record Sheet
• Planting Rhubarb Check List | Growing Rhubarb Record Sheet
• Grape Growing Powerpoint 2013  from Highmoor Farm

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PRACTICAL SKILLS GAINED AND STRENGTHENED

How to select and prepare a proper site for specific small fruit species How and when to renovate a strawberry bed How to trellis and prune brambles How and when to prune highbush blueberries Selecting, using and caring for appropriate tools for pruning small fruit