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Printed March 2011
Fruit Crops for Northern ManitobaA Guide to Planting, Growing and Variety Selection
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Table of Contents: Growing Fruit Crops in Northern Manitoba
Introduction 2
Manitoba’sPlantHardinessZones 2
FruitCropsAdaptabletoNorthernClimates 2
TheBasics 3
Pollination 3
GeneralLocationGuidelines 3
GeneralWateringGuidelines 3
GeneralFertilizerGuidelines 3
GeneralWeedControlGuidelines 3
PlantingBareRootTrees 4
PlantingContainerStockTrees 5
Troubleshooting:Whynofruitharvest? 5
Strawberries 6
Raspberries 9
Crabapples 10
Apples 12
DwarfSourCherry 13
Saskatoons 14
WildFruitHarvesting 14
FruitPlantSuppliers 16
Resources 16
Acknowledgements 16
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Growing Fruit Crops in Northern Manitoba
IntroductionManyfruitcropsintroducedtonorthernManitobabygardenerscansurviveandproducefruit.Themajorchallengesingrowingintroducedfruitareextremeweatherandashortgrowingseason.Successatgardeninginnorthernregionshasmoretodowithchoosingthebestlocations,keepingsoilsfertileandwell-watered,usinghardyplantstockandinvestingthetimeandefforttonurtureandprotectcropsastheygrow.Protectingplantsfromdamagebyanimals,rangingfromdeer,rabbitsormicetodomesticanimalslikedogs,isessential.
Manitoba Plant Hardiness ZonesAlthoughagrowingseasonthatistoocold,dryorwetcanpreventfruitplantsinnorthernManitobafromproducingacropinanygivenyear,hardyfruitplantscansurviveandproducefruitinthenextgoodgrowingseason.Theabilitytositoutseasonsisnotjustanorthernphenomenon.Itiscommonamongfruitbearingplantsfrommanyregions,becauseextremeweathercanhappenalmostanywhere.
FornorthernManitoba,itisimportanttoselectfruitcropspeciesandvarietiesratedforPlantHardinessZones1-2(seemapbelow).
Fruit Crops Adaptable to Northern ClimatesStrawberry(growswildinnorth)Raspberry(growswildinnorth)Saskatoonberry(growswildinnorth)Blueberry(growswildinthenorth,common)Apple(difficulttogetfruiteveryyear)Crabapple(hardierthanapple,canbesuccessfulinnorthernManitoba)Dwarfsourcherry(neverbeentried)Othernorthernwildfruitcrops(ex:lingonberry,cloudberry)
Map obtained from the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada National Land and Water Information Service at www.agr.gc.ca/nlwis-snite
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The Basics
PollinationTobearfruit,plantsmustbepollinated.Pollinationhappenswhenpollenistransferredfromoneflowertoanotherflower.Notallfruitcropshavethesamerequirements.Somearepollinatedbywindandothersrequirepollinationbybeesorotherinsects.Applesandcrabapplesstandoutamongfruitcropsbecausetheywillnotbearfruitunlesspollinatedbyadifferentapplevariety.Bothvarietiesmustfloweratthesametimeforpollentobetransferredfromonetotheother.Interestingly,full-sizedapplesandcrabapplesarerelatedcloselyenoughtopollinateeachother.
General Location GuidelinesThebestplacestoplantfruittrees,bushesandvineswheretheywillreceivethemostsunlightandwheretheyareprotectedfromwind.Theyusuallyalsorequirewelldrainedsoilwithmoresandcontentthatclay,sostandingwaterwillnotaccumulateafterarain.Fruittreesshouldalsobefencedtopreventdeer,rabbitsandotherwildlifefromeatingvariouspartsofthem.
General Watering GuidelinesWaterfruittreesthoroughlyafterplantingthem.Maintaingoodsoilmoistureuntilplantsarewellestablished.Maintaingoodsoilmoisture,theequivalentofthreetofivecentimetresofrainperweekthroughouttheseason.Waterfruittreesregularly,twotothreetimesperweekintheirfirstyear,dependingonsoildryness.ForwoodyplantslikeapplesandSaskatoons,continuewateringweeklyoreverytwoweeksoverthenextcoupleofyearsasthetreesbecomeestablished.
General Fertilizer GuidelinesItiseasiesttousea20-20-20solublefertilizer.Besuretoreadthefertilizermixinginstructionsonthemanufacturer’scontainertofindouthowmuchtouseandhowoftentouseit.
General Weed Control GuidelinesRemoveallweedsfromyourplantingsitebeforeplanting.Continuetoremoveweedsthroughoutthegrowingseason.Weedscompetewithplantingsforwaterandfertilizer.
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Planting Bare Root TreesWithbare-rootstock,plantsmustbeprotecteduntiltheyareplanted.Examinetheconditionofyourstockwhenitarrives.Keepmoistpackingmaterialaroundtherootsandstoretheplantsinacoolplace,outofthesunandwind.Plantassoonaspossible.Besuretoplantbare-rootnurserystockinspringbeforegrowthstarts.
Digholeslargeenoughtoallowtherootstobespreadoutwhenplanting.Preparesoilproperlybeforeusingittofillinaroundroots.Useamixtureofone-thirdtopsoilandtwo-thirdsgoodgardensoil.Ifthesoilyouareusingisheavy,containingclay,consideraddingsandorvermiculiteforbetterdrainage.
Carrytheplantsinapailofwaterormoistsoiltotheplantingsite.Neverallowtheexposedrootstodryoutinthesunorwind.Removethecontainerjustbeforeplanting.Pruneawayanybrokenorcrackedroots.
Planttreesaboutthreetofivecentimetresdeeperthantheoriginalsoilmarkonthetrunk.Whenrefillingthehole,besuretopackthesoilinaroundtheroots,leavingthesurfacearoundthetrunkslightlydepressedtoretainwaterinsteadofdirectingitawayfromthetrunk.
Usingamildtransplantfertilizerisalsorecommendedatthisstage.Itisimportanttouseastarterformulation(ex:5-15-5or10-10-10)andwaterthoroughlyafterplanting.
Supplywatertwoorthreetimesperweekduringtheestablishmentperiod.Maintaingoodmoisturethroughouttheseason(equivalentofthreetofivecentimetresofrainfallperweek).Attentiontowateringshouldextendthroughthesecondoradditionalgrowingseasons,especiallyduringdryspells.
From NDSU fact sheet: Planting Trees and Shrubs, H-531 (Revised), December 1993 (Reviewed and reprinted May 1998) North Dakota State University Agriculture and University Extension Morrill Hall, P.O. Box 5562, Fargo, ND 58105-5562
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Planting Container Stock TreesPlantsfromcontainerstockgenerallyneedcloseattentionastheyacclimatizebecausetheyhaveoftenbeenraisedinidealnurseryenvironments.Toplantthem,digaholetwicethedepthandwidthoftherootball.Thisissosoilaroundandundertheplantisloosenedtoallowforeasyexpansionofrootsthathavebeenkeptcompactinacontainer.Putinatopsoilandfertilizermix,orusewater-solublefertilizerandwateritinwell.Placetherootballinthemiddleoftheholewiththemainstemstraightupandthetopoftherootballthreetofivecentimetresbelowthesoilsurface.Waterafterplantingandwatertwoorthreetimesperweek,dependingonsoildryness,duringthefirstgrowingseason.Continuewateringtheplanteveryweekortwooverthenextcoupleofgrowingseasons
From NDSU fact sheet: Planting Trees and Shrubs H-531 (Revised), December 1993 (Reviewed and reprinted May 1998) North Dakota State University Agriculture and University Extension Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND
Troubleshooting: Why No Fruit Harvest?SuccessfulfruitharvestscanbehitandmisswhereveryouarelocatedinManitoba.Therearemanyfactorsinvolvedwhennofruitisproduced,butthesearethemostcommon:
· Extremecoldwinters(-35°Cto-45°C)mayresultinnofruitthenextsummer,iffruitbudsarekilledoff,butplantswillusuallysurvive.
· Latespringfrostduringfloweringmayresultinnofruitthatsummerifflowersaredamagedorkilled.
· Cool,wetweatherduringfloweringmayresultinlittleornofruitcropbecauseofpoorpollinationbybeesorotherinsects.
· Aplantmayalsolacktheenergyneededtoproducefruitbecauseofpoorsoilnutrients,disease,insectinfestationsorwildlifedamage.
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StrawberriesTherearethreetypesofstrawberryplantsusedinnorthernManitoba:
· June-bearing–producefruitinJuly.KentandGlooscapcultivarsarehardierandwillsurvivelonger.
· Day-neutral–producefruitinJulyandAugust.Thesearelesshardy.Seascapeisarecommendedcultivar.
· Everbearing–producefruitinJulyandAugust.Theyhavealowerberryharvest.FortLaramieandOgallalacultivarsarerecommendedfornorthernuse.
Strawberryplantsmultiplybysendingoutabovegroundstemscalledstolonsthatdevelopintonewplantscalleddaughterplants.Thisreproductiontechniquewilleventuallyfillinaflowerbedoracornerofgardenaroundtheoriginalplant.Daughterplantswilltakerootinthegroundandproduceevenmorefruitthantheoriginalmotherplant.Daughterplantscanalsobedugupandusedtofillinbarepatches,orplantedinotherlocationstostartanewstrawberrypatch.
How to Plant and Grow StrawberriesTransplantfruitcropsafterthelastspringfrost,usuallyinearlyJune.Tokeeptherootsfromdryingoutbeforeplanting,carrythetreesorplantsinapailorplasticbagwiththerootscoveredinmoistsoil.Placethepailorbagincoolandshadyspot.Oncetheplantingareaisready,carrytheplantsinapailofwaterandwatereachplantafterplanting.
Placeplantsfifteentothirtycentimetresapart,inholestwelvetofifteencentimetresdeep.Onlyleavesshouldbepokingoutoftheground.
Inserttheplantrootsallowingthemtohangdowntotheirfulllengthandspreadthemoutinafanshape.Settheplantwiththecrownatthesurface(seediagram)andpresssoilintothehole.
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FertilizingWaterusing20-20-20solublefertilizerdilutedaccordingtocontainerinstructionsafterplanting.Addsupplementary20-20-20solublefertilizerinJulytomaximizegrowth.
Weed ControlRemoveallweedsfromtheplantingsitebeforeplantingandcontinuetoremoveweedsduringthegrowingseason.Itisimportanttokeepyourstrawberrypatchfreeofweedssotheydon’tcompetewithyourstrawberriesandreducetheberryharvest.
Strawberry - Pre-Winter CareItisnecessarytocoverstrawberryplantswithaprotectivemulchcovertoprotectthestrawberryplantsfromlowwintertemperaturesthatcandamageorkilltheplants.Mulchcoverskeepssoiltemperaturesuniform,preventsthewinterwindsfromdryingoutplantsandhelpstrapsnow.
Apply mulch over the row in late fall after several frosts but before temperatures have dropped to -6°C to -7°C.
Plants must be dormant before applying mulch cover. Plantleaveswillbepalegreen/yellow-redincolourorentirelyredincolourwhendormant.
InsouthernManitobafarmerswillapplymulchstrawcoverinlateOctobertoearlyNovember.
In northern Manitoba mulch cover can be applied mid to late October, depending on the weather.
SincefieldstrawfromwheatoroatfieldisnotavailableinnorthernManitoba,alternativemulchcoverscanbeusedquitesuccessfully:
• Dry, loosefallenleaves
• Dry, loosepeatmoss
Apply leaves or peat moss four to six inches thick overtherowsonly,whichwillbetwotothreeinchesthickaftersettling.
Rememberthatthetrappedairinthemulchcoveractslikehouseinsulationtoprotecttheplants,sotheleavesorpeatmossmustbedryandloosewhenapplied.
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Spring Care ActivityRemove leaves or peat moss in spring once plants start to green-up again and risk of severe frost has passed (-4°C to -10°C). Leaveswillbecomelightyellowincolour.InsouthernManitobamulchcoverisusuallyrakedoffmidApriltoearlyMaydependingontheweather,in northern Manitoba early to late May.
In largerrowplantings,ifusingleavessomeofthemcanbekeptinbetweenrowstoprovidesomeweedcontrol,holdinsoilmoistureandprovideapleasantpickingarea.
Someofthemulchcovercanalsoberemovedinthespringtopartiallyprotecttheplantsanddelayfloweringinordertoavoidfrostdamagetomatureflowersbyearlyspringfrosts.Strawberryflowersinfullbloom(fullyopen)andflowerbuds(unopenedflowers)cansurviveshorttermfrostsdownto-1°C for less than thirty minutes. Ifcoldtemperaturesareexpected,coverwithmulchcoverorblankets/tarpsthenightbeforetoprotecttheflowerbudsandopenedflowers.
Frostdamagesthecenteroftheflowerwiththecenterturningblackwhilethepetalsandleavesappearuninjured.Theblackeningoccurswithinafewhourstoonedayafterthefrost.Frostcanalsodamagethedevelopingfruit,deformingtheberries.Flowersthatareonlyslightlydamagedfromfrostmaydevelopdeformedfruit(alsocalledcatfacing),withtheendoftheberrybecomingstuntedandseedyortheplantsmayproducenofruitatall.Ifweatheriscoolorwetduringflowering,pollinationofflowersbybeeswillbepoorresultinginfewerhealthystrawberriesandmoredeformed(catfaced)berries.
Harvesting StrawberriesThefirstyearharvestisnormallysmallharvestinyear,butwillincreaseinyearsthatfollow.Plantsshouldsurvivethreetofourormoreyearsinahomegardensetting.Fruittakesthirtytofortydaystodevelopafterfloweringiscompleted.IfflowersappearinMayandJune,fruitshouldappearinJuly.
Whenfruitisfullyripeandberriesareentirelyred,harvestbypinchingtheberriesoffthestem.Berriesthatareverydarkredandsoftorwiltedareoverripeandmaybetoomushytoeat.Refrigeratestrawberriesimmediatelytostorethemorrinseandeatthemrightaway.Strawberrieswillonlylastacoupleofdaysinrefrigeration.Theycanbepreservedbyfreezingtheminplasticbagsorbyprocessingthemasjam.
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RaspberriesAlwaysselectsummerbearingorfloricanetyperaspberriesfornorthernareas.Theyproduceberriesonstalksfrompreviousyearssotheycanbearfruitearlier,usuallyinJulyandearlyAugust.HardyraspberryvarietiestouseinnorthernManitobaareBoyneandSouris.BothweredevelopedinMorden,Manitoba,andbothexhibitgoodfruitproductionandgoodflavour.
Site SelectionPicklocationswithfullsun,noshade,welldrainedandwelltilledsoil.Plantraspberriesinarowonagardenedgeoranareadedicatedtothem.Allowsuckers(newdaughterplants)tofillintherowovertheyears.
WateringWaterraspberriesthoroughlyafterplanting.Maintaingoodsoilmoistureuntiltheplantsarewellestablished.Provideplantswiththeequivalentofaboutthreetofivecentimetresofrainfalleachweekafterward.
FertilizerUse20-20-20solublefertilizermixedaccordingtocontainerinstructionsandwaterthoroughlyitintosoilafterplanting.Addsupplementary20-20-20solublefertilizerinJulytomaximizegrowth.
Weed ControlPrepareyourplantingsitebeforeplantingbyremovingweedsandcontinuetoremoveweedsduringthegrowingseason.Itisimportanttokeepweedsfromcompetingwithyourraspberriesbecausetheywillreducethenumbersofberriesyoucanharvest.
How to Plant RaspberriesCarrytheplantsinapailofwaterandwatereachplantthoroughlyafterplanting.Placeplantsthirtycentimetresapartinarowandplanttheminholestwelvetofifteencentimetresdeepwiththecaneplantedthreetofivecentimetreslowerthanpreviouslyplantedasindicatedbyoldsoilmarksonthecane.Tillorspadetheareadeeplybeforeplanting.Plantbypushingaspadeintothegroundtoitsfulldepthandthenpressittooneside.Inserttheplantsrootsallowingthemtohangdowntotheirfulllength.Removethespadeandpresssoilagainsttheroots.
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How to prune summer-bearing red raspberries in their second and following years:InAprilorearlyMay,removedeadanddamagedcanesatgroundlevelanddisposeofthemcompletely.Theywillbebrittle,dry,andgreycolouredwhendead.Leavebehindhealthybrownorgreencanes,whichwillproducetheseason’sfruitbeforedyingoff.
Harvesting RaspberriesAfterflowering,theraspberryplanttakesthirtytoforty-fivedaystodevelopfruit.IfflowersoccurredduringJune,expectaharvestofberriesinlateJulyorearlyAugust.Pickberrieswhentheyarefullyripeandentirelyred.Theyshouldpulloffeasily,leavingawhitecoreorreceptaclebehind.Berriesthatareverydarkredandsoftorwiltedareoverripeandmaybetoomushytoeat.Storeraspberriesinarefrigeratorimmediatelytoretaintheirqualityorrinseandeatthemimmediately.Raspberrieslastonlyacoupleofdaysinarefrigerator,butfreezewell.
CrabapplesCrabapplesareactualapplespecies,butwithsmallerfruitandusuallyamoretartflavour.Theyarebestplantedinfullsun,wellprotectedfromthewindonwell-drainedsoil.Plantthemaccordingtocontainerstockinstructionsfoundearlierinthispublication(seepagefive).Alwaysplanttwodifferentvarieties(ex:RescueandDolgo)ofcrabapplesbecauseallapplespeciesneedcross-pollinationtoachievegoodfruitproduction.Usefencingtoprotectcrabapplesfromdeer,rabbitsandotherwildlife.
From: Frank Louws. 1992. Growing Raspberries in Ontario. Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Publication 105).
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Crabapple Varieties for Northern Manitoba:· Rescue–sweettaste,goodforfresheating,redfruit,planthardinesszone1,readilyavailable
· Trailman–sweettaste,greenandredfruit,fresheatingandcooking,readilyavailable
· Dolgo–brightredfruit,tarttaste,goodforjelly,readilyavailable
· EarlyYellow–planthardinesszone1,smallyellowfruit,hardtofind
· RedSiberian–smallredfruit,planthardinesszone1,greenfruit,hardtofind,goodforjelly
· Norhey–planthardinesszone1,greenfruit,hardtofind
· Osman–planthardinesszone1,reddishfruit,hardtofind
Healthytreesshoulddevelopfruitafterfourtofiveyears.TheywillflowerinMayorJuneandproducefruitinAugustorSeptember.
Watering GuidelinesWaterthoroughlyafterplanting.Maintaingoodsoilmoistureuntilplantsarewellestablishedandthroughouttheseason,providingtheequivalentofthreetofivecentimetresofrainfalleachweek.Waterregularlyinthefirstyear,twoorthreetimesperweekuntilsoilismoist.Forcrabapples,continuewateringtheplantregularly,weeklyoreverytwoweeks,overthenextcoupleofyearsasthetreebecomesestablished.
General Fertilizer GuidelinesTheeasiestfertilizermixtouseisa20-20-20watersolublefertilizermix.Readthefertilizermixinginstructionsonthecontainertodeterminehowmuchtouseandhowoftentouseit.
General Weed Control GuidelinesPrepareyourplantingsitebeforeplantingbyremovingweedsandcontinuetoremoveweedsduringthegrowingseason.Weedscompetewithcultivatedplantsforwaterandfertilizer.
Harvesting FruitHarvestfruitwhencrabapplesarefullyred(DolgoandRescue),orfullygreen-red(Trailman).Thefleshshouldbecrispbutsofttoeat,nothardasrock.Thetasteshouldbesweet-tart.Storecrabapplesinarefrigeratororrinseandeatimmediately.Theywilllastuptoamonthinarefrigerator.Youcanalsocutoutthecore,removetheskinandfreezecrabapplesormakethemintoapplesauce,jellyandbakeddessertslikepies.
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ApplesPrairieapplespeciesaresimilartocommercialapplesexcepttheyareusuallysmaller,moretartandfirmer.Thebestlocationtoplanttheseisinfullsun,wellprotectedfromthewindonwell-drainedsoil(ex:notinswampyareasorareasthathavestandingwateronthemafterheavyrainsorsnowmelt).Plantthemaccordingtocontainerstockinstructionsfoundearlierinthispublication(seepagefive).
Sinceapplesrequirecross-pollinationtobearfruit,alwaysplanttwodifferentvarietiestoachievefruitproduction(ex:NorkentandBattleford).Applegrowerssometimesplanthardiercrabapplesaspollinatorsinorchardsofapples.Thekeyistopickspeciesandvarietiesthatfloweratthesametime.Useafencetoprotectappletreesfromwildlifethatwilleattheirvarioustwigs,buds,flowersandfruits.
ApplevarietiesworthtryinginnorthernManitoba(planthardinessofthesetypesiszone2):
· Battleford–greenandredstripedapplewithgreen-yellowfruitthatripensmidtolateAugust–goodeatenfreshorcooked–storeswell
· Norland–green-mostlyredfruitripensmidtolateAugust–goodeatenfreshorcooked–storeswell
· Norkent–redoverpaleyellowfruit–ripensmidtolateAugust–tastesimilartoGoldenDeliciousapple–goodforcooking–storeswell
· Gemini–redoverpaleyellowfruit–ripenslateAugust–storeswell
· Parkland–fruitgreenish-yellowwithredstriping–goodforeatingorcooking–ripenslateAugust
Healthytreesshoulddevelopfruitafterfourtofiveyears.TheyflowerinMayorJuneandfruitinAugustorSeptember.Forwatering,fertilizerandweedcontrolguidelines,seetheprevioussectiononcrabapples(seepageten).
Harvesting FruitDifferentappleshavedifferentcoloursandflavourswhenripe.Mostapplesarebestharvestedwhenthefleshiscrispbutsofttoeat,nothardasrock.Storeapplesinarefrigeratororrinseandeatthem.Dependingonthevariety,applesmaylastamonthormoreinrefrigeration.Youcanalsocutoutthecore,removetheskin,freezeorpreserveapplesandbakewiththem.
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Dwarf Sour CherryThisfruitcropwasdevelopedattheUniversityofSaskatchewanandhasshowngoodwinterhardinessacrosstheprairiessinceitsreleasetothepublicin1999.IthasnotbeentriedinnorthernManitoba,butisworthtesting.Protectthisplantwithafencetopreventdeerandrabbitsfromeatingpartsofit.Onlyonetreeisneededbecausenocross-pollinationisrequired,buttheplantstillneedsbeestopollinateit.Followthedirectionsforplantingcontainerstockshownearlierinthispublication(seepagefive).
Dwarf Sour Cherry Recommended Varieties:· CarmineJewel(mostcommon)
· Romeo
· Valentine
· CrimsonPassion
· Juliet
· Cupid
Expectfruitafterfourtofiveyears,withflowersinMayorJuneandripefruitinmid-AugustorearlySeptember.Forwatering,fertilizerandweedcontrolguidelines,seethesectiondealingwithcrabapplesonpagetenofthispublication.
Harvesting FruitHarvestfruitwhenitisbrighttodarkredandfleshisslightlysoft.Storeitinarefrigeratorimmediatelyorrinse,removepitandeat.Dwarfsourcherrieswilllastonlyacoupleofdaysintherefrigerator.Aneasywaytopitthecherriesistopushthepitoutwithadrinkingstrawandthenfreezeorcanthem.
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SaskatoonsSaskatoonsgrownaturallythroughoutmanyregionsofManitoba.Forbestfruitproduction,locateplantsinfullsun,wellprotectedfromthewindonwell-drainedsoil.Usefencingtoprotectthemfromdeer,rabbitsandotherwildlife.Plantthemasoutlinedinbarerootplantingproceduresearlierinthispublication(seepagefour).
SaskatoonvarietiesrecommendedfornorthernManitobaareCanadianmid-lateseason:
· Smokey
· Northline
· Honeywood
AvoidvarietiesMartinandThiessenbecausetheyareearlyfloweringandmaynotsurvivelatespringfrosts.OnlyonevarietyisneededbecauseSaskatoonsaremostlyself-pollinated.Healthytreesshoulddevelopfruitafterthreetofouryears.TheyshouldflowerinMayorJuneandbearfruitinmid-JulytoAugust.
Forwatering,fertilizerandweedcontrolguidelines,seethesectiondealingwithcrabapplesonpageteninthispublication.
Wild Fruit HarvestingManywildfruitsareabundantinnorthernManitobaforlocaleating.Low-bushwildblueberriesarequitecommonandarethesametypeofblueberriesthatarecommerciallyharvestedinQuebecandtheMaritimes.Wildfruitscontainhigherlevelsofanti-oxidants,vitaminsandmineralsthanmoststoreboughtfruittypes(ex:apples,oranges).EdiblewildfruitcropsinnorthernManitobainclude:lingonberry,cloudberry,high-bushcranberry,wildstrawberry,wildraspberry,Saskatoonsandothers.
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Harvesting FruitPickthefruitwhentheberriesturndarkpurpleorblueincolour.Inyearsofhighplantdiseaseactivity,fruitharvestswillbeloworabsent.Storeberriesinrefrigeratororrinseandeatimmediately.Freshberrieswillonlylastacoupleofdays,buttheywillfreezequitewellforuseoverthewinter.
Improving Blueberry ProductionWaystoimprovewildblueberryharvests:
·fertilizetoimproveyield(use17-17-17)
·conductsoiltestandleaftissueanalysistoindicatenutrientlevels
·reducecompetitionfromtrees,shrubsandweeds
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Fruit Plant SuppliersMail-orderandretailfruitplantsuppliers:
T&TSeedsLtd.Winnipeg,ManitobaPhone:204-895-9964www.ttseeds.com
BoughenNurseriesValleyRiverLtd.ValleyRiver,Manitoba(northofDauphinonHWY362)Phone:204-638-7618www.boughennurseries.net
ResourcesUniversityofManitobaHorticulturalInquiries(fruitandvegetableinfo)www.umanitoba.ca/afs/hort_inquiries/
UniversityofSaskatchewanFruitCropProgram(fruitarticles)www.usask.ca/agriculture/plantsci/dom_fruit
BasicGardeningManualforNorthernManitobaavailablefromManitobaAgriculture,FoodandRuralInitiativesThePasGOCentreat204-627-8255.
ManitobaAgriculture,Food,RuralInitiativesCommercialFruitProductionInfowww.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/fruit
AcknowledgementsSpecialthankyoutothefollowingfortheirassistancewiththismanual:
· ManitobaNorthernHealthyFoodsInitiative
· Northerncommunity’slocalfoodchampions
· ThePasGrowingOpportunitiesOffice
· ManitobaAgriculture,FoodandRuralInitiativesCropsKnowledgeCentre
· SaskatchewanDepartmentofAgriculture
· PrairieFruitGrowersAssociation