Tree Fruit and Small Fruit Production in High Tunnels Terrance T. Nennich Extension Professor/ Emeritus Fruit and Vegetable Production.
High Tunnel Research Sites in Minnesota Experiment Stations Grower Cooperators 2012 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
Project Funding Northwest Minnesota Sustainable Regional Partnership Northwest Minnesota Foundtion 2012 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
Tree fruit utilized in this research Apples Project Plums Cherries 2012 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
Rational Tree fruits stay dormant in northern Minnesota for 7+ months ( late September until May) It takes a lot of energy to keep trees alive during dormancy The later in the dormancy period the weaker the tree. Northern Minnesota receives winter temperature (-40) high winds, ice, snow. 2012 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
Reasoning/Question Few plantings of tree fruit remain productive year after year in Northern Minnesota It is the winds, constant motion, ice on branches, winter rains, melting snow and cold temperatures that take out the trees and not the cold temperatures alone. Will high tunnels also control scab and other diseases for organic production? 2012 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
Procedure In 2010 a additional high tunnel ( 30 x 72 ) was built next to the two present high tunnels, which will be used for tree fruit. Planted in the spring of 2011. 2012 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
Soil preparation Soil and mulch was added Soil was sub soiled 18 to 24 ft deep. Soil test taken and soil fertilized accordingly 2012 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
Fertilization Pre plant May need lime Apply enough fertility to bring to high level Add compost Fertilization through drip line. Leaf analysis 2012 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
ph and High Tunnel Fruit Production You must have a precise knowledge of your ph when dealing with fruit production in high tunnels. Fruit is much more sensitive then vegetables Strawberries < then 6.5 Blueberries < then 5. 2012 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
Planting Distance All trees were planted in Eight foot wide rows Trees were three about in the rows Tall spindle system was used. Some varieties should planted as close as a ft apart in the row 2012 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
Planting Stock Apples Honeycrisp on Bud 9 rootstock Zestar on bud 9 rootstock. The right rootstock is everything In Minnesota Bud 9 and M 26 Row 1, Honeycrisp Row 2, Zestar 2012 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
Planting Stock Cherries Carmine Jewel Crimson Passion. Strawberries and Raspberries on the outside rows. 2012 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
Planting Stock Plums Pipestone Compus Cherry Plums Sapalta Toka Gracious 2012 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
High Tunnel Small Fruit Production
High Tunnel Strawberry Production Treated as a annual crop Planted in April Harvested August until Late October Evie 2 Albion 1 /34 to 2 ½ pounds per plant 2012 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
Raspberry Production in high tunnels Use fall bearing varieties Autumn Britten Polona Caroline Himbo Top 2012 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
Blackberry Production in High Tunnels Prime Jim Prim Jan Developed by the University of Arkansas \ Dr. John Clark 2012 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
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Insects Spider Mites Like hot and dry Monitor and control Insecticides Predatory mites 2012 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
Blueberry production in high Tunnels Soil must be amended if needed St cloud Superior Northcountry Northblue 2012 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
Blueberry Production Bring soil down to a ph of at least 4.5 ( Our Ph started at 6.8) Dig out soil in and replace with low ph soil. Add acid compost Sphagnum Moss 2012 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
Honeyberries Do well in high tunnels Use Canadian Varieties For detailed information contact Honeyberry Farms near Bagley 2012 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
Varieties Honeyberry Tundra Borealis 2012 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
Grapes
Concerns Pollination, Honeycrisp and Zestar bloom to far apart. Need to add in a couple of crab apple trees Many bees become disortinated under plactic Some years may be too cold for natural pollinators We will use Bumble bees 2012 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
Enhancing Production & Quality with Bumblebees in High Tunnels 2012 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
Organic Production No leaf diseases No scab Leaves were thicker No mites 2012 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
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