Bramble Production in High Tunnels

1. Bramble Productionin High Tunnels Kathy Demchak Penn State University

3. Multi-Bay Bramble Production

8. Multi-bay Use All significant high tunnel bramble acreage (so far) is multi-bay California: 4400 acres � raspberries Oregon: 50 acres � blackberries British Columbia: 10 acres � red raspberries Ontario: 14 acres, raspberries Nova Scotia: 5 acres, raspberries Washington: ?

9. Single BayBramble Production

13. Single-bay use NJ, PA, MD, OH, UT, MN, IN No �real� statistics Acreage is low One common (17� x 96�) commercial-sized single bay = 0.04 acres

14. Bramble Crops Grown in High Tunnels Red raspberries Primarily primocane-bearers Blackberries Black raspberries - limited

15. Primary Sought Benefits Extend spring & fall growing seasons (especially with single-bay) Protection from rain (single and multi-bay) And wind (single-bay)

16. Environmental Changes Relative to Field � Single Bay No moisture on foliage from rain or irrigation Placement and amount of water is controlled Higher humidity Warmer air temperatures Mild in winter Can be hot in summer Warmer soil temperatures Lack of soil freezing during winter

17. Environmental Changes Relative to Field � Multibay Same benefits as single bay when covered Differences are no winter protection (can be an advantage with insects and leaching of salts) Can fully vent on hot summer days

18. Resulting in� Longer growing season � earlier and later yields Plants generally grow much larger than in field Higher yields Can grow some crops that we couldn�t otherwise due to short growing season or cool temps Changes in pest complexes

19. Conditions at Rock Springs �Short� growing season Last frost: Last week of May (officially May 15) First frost: First week of October Low yields for primocane-bearing raspberries Typical winter lows of 0F, some years -15F Winter injury (?) on blackberries Highest temps in summer in 90�s Windy

20. What have we tried? Primocane-bearing red raspberries in the ground and in containers Summer-bearing blackberries in the ground and in containers Primocane-bearing black raspberries (not ready for prime time) Summer-bearing black raspberries Primocane-bearing blackberries

21. What happens in a tunnel?

22. Brambles: 2000-05 (1st planting)

23. Mkt. Yields, 2001-2005 If only fall crop: 11,400-13,600 lb/acre Highest in field previously: 5000 lb/acre If summer and fall crop: 14,300-23,300 lb/a Substantial summer crop

25. Raspberry Results High yields Long shelf-life (11 days) Large fruit (2.8 g for �Heritage�) Earlier (and later) production Balance between summer and fall crop can be an issue

26. Conclusions (cont.) Early planting critical for decent first-year yields 21�-wide tunnel with 3 rows probably ideal Both summer and fall-cropping feasible for primocane-bearing raspberries, but need to balance

27. Harvest Harvest one month earlier, in 2nd yr and later Primocane-bearers - can delay harvest by 2-3 weeks if �soft-tipped� when 30 in. tall Staggers harvest with same cultivar Can harvest from June through Nov. with mix of varieties, tipping Pick 3x/week in summer, 2x/week in fall

28. No fungicides needed �Greenhouse� pests can be a problem Potential for deficiencies, esp. potassium

29. Why were raspberry yields so much higher? At least part of the answer Longer growing season For PA, increased the growing season by at least 2 months Less wind stress (more hours of photosynthesis)?? More leaves doing more photosynthesis (more light to lower leaves)?? Something else?

30. Black raspberries Just don�t pay in PA

31. Blackberries: 2000-06 Yields at this site were 0 during 1994 � 2000 with �Chester�, �Choctaw�, �Shawnee�, �Arapaho�, �Navaho� Explained as due to cold winter temps or fluctuating spring temps

32. �Triple Crown� Blackberries

33. Blackberry Mkt. Yield Planted in 2000 low lb/foot lb/a temp (F) 2001 3.6 19,602 -2 2002 5.3 28,860 9 2003 5.6 30,274 -2 2004 4.3 23,414 -11 2005 � dug plants out (crown borers)

34. Crown borer

35. Conclusions on blackberries Blackberries do much better in a tunnel, but why? Minimal temperature difference in winter Tremendous difference in wind speed

36. Why aren�t tunnels used more for bramble crops? Labor: High labor cost Shortage of labor Lower per area value than some other crops Constantly occupy the tunnel Tomatoes still the big winner in economic analyses

37. What do PA growers say about the economics? Need about $25,000 in gross sales to make it worthwhile compared to field production Spend first two years paying off the tunnel, profits start in 2nd or 3rd year

38. Culture Used methods similar to field production with changes necessitated or made possible by tunnels Drip irrigation, soluble fertilizer (N + K) Venting Earlier planting Longer harvest season Usually (not always) primocane-bearers Changes in pest complexes

39. Cultivars Red raspberries: usually primocane-bearers Autumn Britten, Josephine Large berries, uniform fruit size Any cultivar that works well on your farm Black raspberries? � short harvest season

40. Planting As early in spring as possible If tunnel up, could be late winter If using tissue-cultured plants, have row covers ready Raised beds are best 1.5� to 2� between plants Minimum 7-8� between rows

41. Landscape Fabric? For red raspberries, just have between rows

42. Trickle Irrigation 1x/week during early spring and late fall, increasing to 3x/week during summer About 2 hours each time if 0.45gal/100�/min trickle tape - unless uncovered (make get rain)

43. Trellis Simple supported hedgerow or narrow �V� works well

44. Venting Raspberries grow well in cool temps. Goal is to keep temperature around 70-80 degrees Keeping rain off of the blossoms and fruit = major decrease in disease incidence = major decrease in fungicide use Wind makes plants shorter = lower yields; gentle breezes are good

45. Pruning For primocane-bearers, can prune to ground in late winter Or prune as for summer-bearers to get a summer crop, but may need to adjust canes/linear foot of row (start with 3-4) Summer canes if too thick can compete with fall production

46. Diseases Much reduced Very little gray mold Longer shelf-life

47. Insects Greenhouse pests Spider mites Whiteflies Aphids Thrips Fewer Japanese beetles if covered

48. Weeds Not much of a problem with landscape fabric If no landscape fabric, and always covered during rain, weeds only where moist (in rows, around edges) Otherwise, could be problem Herbicide incorporation? Trickle tape?

49. Pesticides? Tunnels make organic production easier Be aware - viruses may move in via insects When using pesticides, official EPA interpretation is that as long as the label doesn�t restrict the use from protected culture, it can be used

50. What Would I Have Done Differently? Would have controlled insects better Would have released predatory mites sooner We use a Neoseiulus mix (N. fallacis and N. californicus) Would have applied more potassium from the beginning

51. Thanks to� Bill Lamont Mike Orzolek Catie Rasmussen PA Dept. of Agriculture