LATE SUMMER/FALL BRAMBLE CHORES

Here is a brief summary of chores for the next few months to prepare your brambles for fall and winter. If you have any questions contact Gina_Fernandez@ncsu.edu PRUNING -Prune out spent floricanes after they have produced fruit, do not thin out primocanes until winter.

WEEDS -Fall weed control. Determine what weeds have been or could be a problem in your area. Check with your states agricultural chemical manual and local extension agent for the best labeled chemicals to control these weeds.

INSECT AND DISEASE CONTROL - Crown borer and phythopthora root rot control should be implemented in the fall if they are known to be a problem in your area. Check with your states agricultural chemical manual and local extension agent for labeled chemicals to control these pests. Heavily infested sites should be removed as both of these pests will steadily weaken the planting.

HARVEST -Some higher elevations may still be harvesting primocane fruiting raspberries, keep botrytis under control.

IRRIGATION -Water demand by the plants will decrease after fruiting, however keep water on plants if you are experiencing drought conditions in your area.

TRELLISES - Inventory and make list for fall winter repair season.

FERTILIZER - Now is the time to take leaf tissue analysis to fine tune your fertilizer program for next season. Sample healthy leaves on primocanes in late summer. -Do not apply nitrogen fertilizers until spring. -Apply lime if needed.

PLANTING -Growers in warmer areas (e.g. extreme southeastern NC) can plant in December. Preparations for winter planting should have already been made. If you have questions about winter planting please contact me at the above email address. -Take soil tests to determine fertility needs for spring plantings. -Prepare list of cultivars for next years new plantings. Find the commercial small fruit nursery list at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/smfruit-index.html.

NOTE: A blackberry production guide "Growing Blackberries in North Carolina" will be available in hard copy and electronically this fall. It will cover aspects of marketing, pruning and training, water management, fertility, harvest and post harvest management, and cultivars recommendations and descriptions. I will post the information on how and where to get it when it becomes available.