growing fruit

Growing Fruit

In Duluth

Planning the planting

• Size of fruit planting–Space available–Size of family–Experience of grower–Availability of tools

Planning–Fruit plot location• Soil type• Drainage• Sun• Water availability• Slope• Things to avoid

Planning

• Kinds of fruit to plant–Size of plot–What does the family like?–Hardiness–yield

Planning

• Getting the plants– Local nurseries– Duluth Community Gardens fruit sale• 722-4583• www.duluthcommunitygarden.org

– Mail order: FEDCO trees, St Lawrence– Transplant from wild– graft

Soil and site preparation

• Soil test- call Extension 733-2870• Site history• Plan out irrigation• Fertilizer timing

Planting

• Timing – Plant in spring• Care of stock- keep roots damp• Planting holes- rough, shallow, no N Fert• Root pruning- cut off broken roots• Staking – stake up dwarfs• Watering- 5 gal, every other day for the first 2

weeks

Seasonal care

• Sunscald protection- wrap trunks for winter• Weed control – keep grass away• Pruning- train to modified central leader• Animal pest control – Protect the trees• Insect and disease control – inspect frequently

Red-backed Vole

Shubat’s deer fence

Insect pests

• Apple Worm - sticky traps - Pheromone• Apple maggot – sticky traps + scent• Scale – dormant oil spray• Aphids – soap spray, pressure hose

Insect pests

• Apple Worm

Apple Maggot

Insect pest

• scale

Insect pest

• aphids

Common Diseases

• Apple Scab – sanitation, – Kaolin

• Fire Blight – streptomycin, – pruning

Blueberries

• Minnesota ½-high– Northblue– Northsky– Chippewa– Polaris– St.Cloud

• Wild – can be transplanted• Avoid highbush

Strawberries

• June Bearing– Honeoye– Sparkle– Trumpeter– Veestar

• Ever-bearing– Ft. Laramie– Ogallala– Tribute

Seeded Grapes

• Beta (black)• Valiant (black)• Edelweiss (white)• Swenson Red (Red)• Wild grapes

Juneberries

• Honeywood• Northline, • Pembina• Regent• Smokey• Theissen• Wild

Gooseberry

• Pixwell• Poorman• Welcome

Black Currants

• Consort• Antonina’s

Red Currant

• Red Lake• MN 71