U-PICK BERRY ORCHARD

Background

Orchard Location

Shelter is essential for successful bush fruit production. Winds can cause severe desiccation especially in winter and can substantially reduce fruit size and quality. If shelterbelts are not present they should be established on the north and west sides of the plantation. Belts should be located every 120 to 150 meters within the plantation. The belts should not hinder the natural air flow patterns that allow movement of cold air away from the plantation.

Technical Requirements

1. Land
   • require 10 acres or more
2. Plant material
   • require 800 plants/acre
3. Mechanical equipment
   
   • tractor, tillage equipment, sprayer, irrigation equipment
4. Buildings and equipment:
   
   • storage shed for tractor, spraying equipment etc.
   • pails, bags, scale etc.
   • sales stand, washrooms, picnic tables
5. Labor
   
   • required for planting, weeding, fertilizing, pruning, pest control, and U-Pick supervision
   • total requirement - 15 person days/acre/year

Marketing

U-Pick operations are the most common and efficient marketing method for the small to medium grower. The advantages of U-Pick are: reduced costs (ie. harvesting equipment, labor, storage facilities, transportation) and no middle man therefore higher net return per acre, impulse buying and a premium product. Concerns related to U-pick are harvest wastage, liability costs and insurance, dealing with customer complaints, advertising costs and the need to be near a large population.

Location is important for U-Pick. The plantation should be within a one hour drive of a major centre. The fruit needs to look good and be easy to pick. The plantation should be free of weeds, insects and disease. An attractive lot with picnic tables and sales stand selling processed products all add to the pleasant experience required for a successful operation.

Bush fruits make excellent jams, jellies and syrups. In addition to selling fresh fruit, small-scale processing has considerable potential. This form of marketing is generally low volume but high per-unit profit. Species such as choke cherry, buffaloberry and sea-buckthorn are ideally suited to processing.

Growers should consider diversifying their fruit production. Combining several products in the operation provides the opportunity to spread out product supply over the entire growing season. Other enterprises that could be included are U-Pick apples, Christmas trees, strawberries and raspberries.

Bush fruit production can be complex. The viability of an operation depends on the market, climate, hard work and management ability. The end result, though, can be very rewarding, both financially and otherwise.

Potential Bush Fruit Species

1.Saskatoon

• orchards have been established in Saskatchewan since the 1980's
• three to four years required until production, 8-10 years to reach maturity
• insect control is very important, one insecticide registered
• frost during bloom can cause loss of entire crop
• irrigation is essential
• yields average 2000 to 4000 lb/acre
• markets already established, high demand
• most commonly used cultivars include Smoky, Pembina. Thiessen and Honeywood, seven other registered cultivars

2.Choke Cherry

• few orchards currently in production, most fruit is collected from wild populations
• three to four years to produce, six to eight years to mature production
• reliable fruiting however, frost damage during bloom can effect yields
• projected yields of 4000 to 6000 lb/acre
• good market potential especially for processed products ie. syrups, jellies etc.
• Several cultivars available commercially. Best include Goertz, Garrington , Schubert and Honeywood.

3. Buffaloberry

• presently not grown as a fruit crop
• four to six years before production commences
• require male and female plants
• low requirements for irrigation and nutrients
• projected yields of 4000 lbs/acre
• good processing potential ie. jellies, preserves
• cultivars not readily available for purchase

4. Sea-buckthorn

• not grown as a fruit crop in Canada yet. Large plantations exist in eastern Europe
• four to six years until production commences, yields 6000 to 8000 lb/acre
• require male and female plants
• low requirements for irrigation and nutrients
• harvesting can be difficult due to thorns and fruit position
• fruit very high in vitamin C, valued for its medicinal properties, as a natural dye and as a flavouring for drinks and ice cream. Processes well.
• no improved cultivars presently available in Canada

5.Mongolian Cherry

• presently not grown as a commercial fruit crop
• four to six years before production commences
• limited production experience, similar management as saskatoon
• fruit has excellent potential for fresh and processing market
• ideally suited to U-pick operations
• projected yields unknown, may not fruit every year
• one or two selections available, untested

Technical References

Anonymous. 1992. Berry Production Guide for Commercial Growers. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Province of British Columbia, Victoria, B.C.

Davidson, J.G.N. 1986. The principle diseases of saskatoon. The Fruit Grower 2(1):8-12.

Galletta, G.J. and D.G. Himerlrick. 1990. Small Fruit Crop Management. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

Harris, R.E. 1973. The Saskatoon, Agriculture Canada Publication 1246.

PFRA Shelterbelt Centre. 1993. Fruit-Bearing Shrubs for Multi-Use Shelterbelts and Orchards. Agriculture Canada, Indian Head, Sask.

St. Pierre, R.G. 1991. Growing Saskatoons: A Manual for Orchardists. Dept. of Horticulture Science, Univ. of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Sask.

St. Pierre, R.G. 1993. The Chokecherry: A Guide for Growers. Dept. of Horticulture Science. Univ. of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Sask.

Williams, Sara. 1991. Commercial Saskatoon Berry Production: A Growers' Guide. Extension Division, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Sask.

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