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New strawberry plantings: Keep plants cold until planting time, but do not freeze them! For long term storage, 0 to -1 C is best, otherwise you can store them for a few days at 3-5 C. If plants arrive frozen together, do not rip them apart but allow them to thaw. Inspect plant roots for galls and knots and throw away crowns that are smaller than a pencil in diameter. When planting, ensure plants are set to the middle of the crown, never allow crowns to be covered in soil, or roots to be exposed. Pack soil around newly set plants and water them in right away. Most growers incorporate a pre-plant herbicide (Treflan, Rival, Bonanza, Dual before planting) but if you didn¡¯t, Dual can be applied immediately after transplanting,. Strawberries: Crop development varies by region and production method. With floating row covers and plastic mulch, strawberries range from full bloom to small green fruit. On matted rows with floating row covers applied at the end of March, the crop is starting to bloom. Covers should be removed at 5-15% bloom, to improve pollination and reduce physical damage to blooms. In matted row plantings, plant growth seems slow, but should improve with warmer soil temperatures. Winter injury is apparent in some regions especially where fluctuating temperatures and ice were a problem. Where buds and bloom are present, watch the weather forecast for frost and be prepared to irrigate if temperatures drop to the critical point. For information see Irrigation for Frost Protection. Mind the dew point. If the relative humidity is low and the dew point is low, temperatures drop more quickly. If the dew point is below 0C (32F), plant tissue can freeze before frost actually forms. Finally, when dew points are low, evaporative cooling when irrigation starts up can cause plant temperatures to drop below the critical point and injury can occur. Start irrigation well above 0C (32F) when the dew point is low. Bravo applied twice before bloom can reduce the need for further fungicides during bloom in strawberries. Bravo is not needed if you intend to spray several times during bloom for Botrytis. No insect activity has been reported on strawberries, although growers should be watching for clipper weevils under row covers and where buds are extending from the crown. Be ready to apply grass herbicides such as Venture L, or Poast, when annual grasses and volunteer grain reach the susceptible stages. Spot treat dandelions with hand held wick wipers or spot applicators. Pre-emergent herbicides should be on and watered in by now; there are no other herbicide options in this window before harvest. Raspberries: Most plantings seem to be leafing out nicely. Primocanes are well emerged. This new growth should be protected from cane disease with several fungicide applications before bloom. You choices include Captan, Maestro and Tanos. In biennial plantings prepare to apply Ignite for primocane suppression on a nice warm day when primocanes are 6" high. The only insecticide needed at this time is for raspberry crown borer. In plantings where there is a history of problems apply diazinon in a high volume spray directed to the base of the cane, unless it was applied in the fall. Admire 240F insecticide is now labelled for raspberry caneborer and red necked caneborer, both of which are beetles. However, Admire will not control raspberry crown borer, which is a caterpillar. Blueberries: Warm spring rains will favour the development of mummy berry. In blocks with a history of problems, watch for trumpet shaped structures emerging from mummified berries on the ground. Blueray is especially susceptible. There are several fungicides for mummy berry control, each with limitations. Make 2-3 applications between flower bud swell and first bloom.
Integrated
For more information on these and other sessions contact the The Ontario Highbush Blueberry Growers are planning a meeting Friday May 29, 2009, at Barrie Hill Farms. Guest speaker will be Mark Longstroth, from Michigan State University Extension. Please contact Celia Klassen at klassenb@xplornet.com . Strawberry variety trials: I have a two extra strawberry trial packages with new numbered selections for testing. Package I has 5 Growing Forward: Food Safety and Traceability: The Growing Forward program has recently been announced. This is a commitment between the federal and provincial government to support the adoption of practices that enhance food safety on farms and in the food and beverage processing industry. Growers can apply for funding to help develop and deliver an on-farm food safety program for their business, or to improve existing programs. The Food Safety and Traceability component of the program (FSTI) provides 75% reimbursement of eligible expenses up to a maximum of $20,000 to:
The Food Safety and Traceability Initiative (FSTI) is now accepting applications from farms and food plants. Funding is available on a first-come first-served basis. This is an extremely busy time of year for berry growers, but I urge you to look at the opportunities provided to you through this program. For more information, see: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/infores/foodsafe/fsinitiative.htm For more information:
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