Thin the remaining canes in the row, leaving only those with the greatest height and basal diameter, until the desired cane density of four to five canes per foot of row length is attained. Attach the remaining canes to the trellis wires and remove all of the prunings from the field. A dedicated group of berry growers in New York State is committed to using the latest IPM methods to produce high quality fruit that minimizes pesticide use. In New York State there is no large distribution center for berries. The majority of growers are selling directly to the public.
Consumers are interested in supporting environmentally correct practices.
It makes economic sense, and supports New York agriculture. It helps us compete with berries grown in other states. Prostak reviews the elements with the growers prior to harvest season, answers their questions, helps with record keeping, and verifies whether the growers have achieved at least 80 percent of the points. Forwarded by Sonia Schloemann, Massachusetts Berry Notes, Feb. 1999 Small Fruit Plant Source List Available from Cornell Cooperative Extension Cornell Cooperative Extension has just completed an update of a source list for small fruit plant varieties. Research conducted by Connie Stubbs and Frank Drummond, Biological Science Department, University of Maine, indicate that the commercially available bumble bee, Bombus impatiens, is an excellent pollinator of wild blueberries.