Blackberry Growing Iftatelea George F

Blackberry Growing iftatelea George F. Waldo and R. Ralph Clark , P14 ra. FEDERAL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION" SERVICE OREGON STATE COLLEGE i CORVALLIS Cooperative Extension work in Agriculture and Home Economics, F. E. Price, director. Oregon State College and the United States Department of Agriculture cooperating. Printed and distributed in furtherance of Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Extension Bulletin 768 August 1957 CONTENTS Importance of the Industry 4 Economic Considerations 4 Place in the Farm Plan 4 Preparation for Planting 5 Propagation 6 Planting Systems 6 Planting 7 Choice of Varieties 8 Varieties Grown in Oregon 8 Care of the Plantation 13 Managing the Growing Canes 15 Methods of Training 16 Training Systems 18 Effects of Growth Regulators 20 Harvesting 21 Insects and Diseases 21 2 Blackberry Growing laareplet By George F. Waldo, Horticulturist Fruit and Nut Crops Section, Horticultural Crops Research Branch, Agricultural Research Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture and R. Ralph Clark, Extension Horticulturist Oregon State College BLACKBERRY growing industry in Oregon is centered THEin the Willamette Valley counties of western Oregon. The area's normal climatic conditions, a mild autumn, a cool, dry summer, and sufficient spring moisture to develop the fruit, favors the production of these berries. Also, the mild but moist autumn weather helps cane growth and propagation by layering, and the dry summer permits harvesting with minimum loss from moldy or decaying berries. When the first white settlers arrived in Oregon they found an abundance of the highly flavored trailing wild blackberry, Rubus macro petalus. Later the Evergreen variety was introduced to Oregon from Europe and spread Quickly by natural means. So did the Himalaya, introduced after the Evergreen. The vigorous growth of these introduced blackberries of European origin and the abundance of the native blackberry show that conditions in western Oregon are favorable for blackberry growing. Interest was stimulated by the introduction of the Logan early in the present century. The popularity of this berry reached its height about 1925, but since then has gradually declined, and other varieties are taking its place. The term blackberry as used in this bulletin includes all types of trailing and upright berries, including the Loganberry, Youngberry, and Boysenberry. The trailing types are called dew- berries in the Eastern States, but in Oregon the native trailing type of the West Coast and those from Europe are called blackberries. Those called blackberries, native to the Eastern States, are mostly upright in their habit of growth. They generally are not planted in Oregon although a few varieties are grown satisfactorily. 3 Importance of the Industry Blackberry growing in Oregon is About 5,000 acres of blackberries done almost entirely in the Wil-are grown at present in Oregon, lamette Valley, where harvest laborand about half this acreage is in is available and most of the proces-Marion County. A thousand acres sing plants are located. The berriesare in Clackamas County, and a can be grown successfully in theconsiderable acreageinMultno- coastal region of the state, but be-mah County. Some acreage is in cause harvest labor is scarce andPolk,Yamhill, and Washington, distance to markets is greater, theand small plantings are in Doug- industry has not developed therelas, Jackson, and Josephine Coun- as it has in the valley. ties in southern Oregon. Economic Considerations Costs of establishing a trailingdefinite market. If a new variety berry planting include those foris being considered, market outlet labor, for preparation of the land, isofspecialimportance.The cultivation of the planting, pur-frozen pack todayisthechief chasing of plants, wire, and posts.market outlet, and a large number The purchase of special equipmentof frozen pack processors now are or implements also may be neces-located in the northern part of the sary. Because of the high invest-Willamette Valley, where most of ment, prospective producers shouldthe blackberries are grown. consider carefully all factors which Some processors also can the ber- effect the probable life of the plant-ries or make them into jam, jellies, ing and the yields that can be ob-and flavors for the fountain trade tained.In addition, they shouldor ice cream. With the increase take in account available marketsin population in Oregon, the local and market requirements beforefresh market, either in retail stores choosing their varieties. or on roadside stands, has possibil- Markets ities for expansion. Varieties suit- Large plantings should not beable for these purposes are now set until the grower is sure of aavailable. Place in the Farm Plan A grower planning to set outor forage crops along with live- blackberries must take into con-stockorpoultry.Such farmers sideration his over-all farm organi-have manure and crop wastes which zation. Many producers have com-can be used to advantage in black- binedblackberrygrowingwithberry plantings. Some also have ir- general farming. Some grow grainrigation equipment that can be used 4 for the berries. Such combinationsor spots where winter freezes and cancutproductioncosts,sincelate spring frosts occur frequently more efficient use of all the farmshould beavoided. Heavy soils facilities is possible. which hold water for long periods Growers who produce only black-are not the best for blackberries, berries must give extra considera-but some varieties can stand such tion to their production costs, asconditions better than others. Soils well as to choosing locations wherethatare naturallyfertile,easily high yields will be possible for aworked, and of good moisture hold- period of years. Plantings shoulding capacity are the most suitable. be set out with a life expectancy Some varieties are affected by of 15 to 20 years. Factors whichsoil-borne diseases, so when such seem most vital to successful op-diseases are known to exist in an eration are presented in this bul-area only varieties which are resist- letin to guide those planning toant or tolerant to them should be put out new plantings. grown. The light soils of the red hill areas generally are not as suit- Location able for blackberry growing as the Blackberries can be grown insoils of the valley floor. However, many locations, but for the mostsome soils in the hill areas are fer- profitable production, a high yield- ing siteis most desirable. Hightile and have given good yields soilfertility and ample moistureover a long period. Growers have during the growing season helpsucceeded occasionally in growing boostyields.Locations whereblackberries on poor soil by mak- strong prevailing winds rob theing special efforts to increase the plants and soil quickly of moisture,fertility. Preparation for Planting Most blackberry plantings aremanureisnot always available, made on soils that are naturallyothermaterials,such as crop fertile but have been cropped forwastes, can be used. so long they have become depleted Plowing cover crops infor a of organic matter. Such soils haveyear or two prior to planting also less ability to maintain fertility andmay be profitable in the long run. moisture and are more difficult toThese cover crops may be legumes, work than soils high in organicsuch as vetch or Austrian field peas, matter. Growers planning to plantor others supplying large quanti- berries on such soil should maketies of organic matter, such as rye an effort to correct the situationor Sudan grass. It is advisable to before planting. Barnyard manureadd fertilizers to cover crops to in- is the best source of organic mat-crease their growth. ter for this type of soil, but because Whenever possible, use land that 5 has been in good sod for a fewblackberries so the sod will have years. The grass could have beentime to decompose completely. If for seed or pasture. The best sod-erosion is not serious, fall plow- forming grasses are Alta, Chew-ing isbest because early spring ings, and red creeping fescues, andpreparation can be made. At pres- orchard grass. ent there are many farm imple- The soil in which blackberriesments suitable for preparing the are to be planted should be pre-soil properly for planting. Do not pared carefully, much the same aswork soil when too wet or dry, as a seedbed for grain or vegetablethis makes it much more difficult crops.If land has been insod,later to break the soil into fine par- plow a whole year before plantingticles. Propagation Most blackberries grown in Ore-summer, when itis about 2 feet gon are of the trailing type, whichlong. Just below the cut several naturally propagate themselves byside branches will form and grow the tips of the canes taking root.into long canes with suitable tips The cane tips usually are ready tofor fall rooting. root in the latter part of September Another method is to cover canes or early October. Under normalwith soil at intervals as they lie on weather conditions, these tips willthe ground. Plants produced this root naturally if the soil is fairlyway are not as vigorous as those moist and loose. grown from the tips, but by using To make sure plantswill becare in planting itis possible to available, however, itis wise forget a greater number of plants. the grower to make a small open- Also, blackberries can be propa- ing in the soil at the end of thegated by root cuttings. Roots about cane about an inch or two deep, to inch in diameter are taken insert the tip of the cane downwardup in early winter and cut into at an angle of about 45 degrees, andpieces2 to4 inches long, then cover it with an inch or two of soil.placed either in the soil outside or Growers interested in increasingin a greenhouse or coldframe. Some the number of tip plants can doblackberries, particularly the east- this by pinching off a few inchesern upright ones, can be propagated of the terminal of the cane in earlyreadily by this method.

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