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

For More Information

TofindyournearestGOOffice,callManitobaGovernmentInquiry,tollfreeat1-866-626-4862.

Tofindoutmoreaboutprogramdetails,gotomanitoba.ca/agriculture.