SMALL FRUIT UPDATE | WEEK 32 | AUGUST 3, 2022

Strawberry Crown Moth. July, 2010. Photo by Tom Peerbolt.

WHAT'S INSIDE Julie Pond

NORTHWEST BERRY FOUNDATION
INDUSTRY RESOURCES
The dog days of summer are here, and it’s what I’ve come to recognize as summer in the PNW.
GROWER RESOURCES That, and county fairs. But while I smile proudly at my daughter’s 4H chicken showmanship
blue ribbon and her enthusiasm for educating the general public about all things poultry, I’m
INDUSTRY NEWS
looking longingly across the barn at the agricultural building just beyond my reach. I took the
day off instead of attending the blueberry field day, but the first chance I got I immediately
snuck away to take a spin around the fields and step back into the berry world to find my
PEST MANAGEMENT
footing again.

SFU SPONSORS I’m happy to stay in my little plant world while nurturing my kids' love of farm animals. They
can continue to keep the coop clean but be “forced” to weed a couple rows of our garden every
couple weeks as a reminder that plants rule!

The heatwave is slated to end Friday, but in the meantime, I wish all of us a safe, productive
and hydrated week at the peak of summer!

Our Team is here to guide you

through your every need from
crop and planting to soil
balance or harvest and
winterization

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Small Fruit Update is

produced once a week
during the growing
season and bimonthly
outside the growing
season (Oct - Feb)
Warning: This photo lacks berries - Fiona and her market birds. July 23, 2022. Photo by Julie Pond.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 01
 Nutrient Management
Weeks 30-31 are the critical time of year when nutrient tissue sampling needs to happen. For the next few
weeks we’re providing some guidelines for doing it right. Acknowledgements: Almost all information comes
from Bernadine Strik (OSU) and Lisa DeVetter (WSU). A good reminder from Lisa Wasco DeVetter, WSU: “For
caneberry and blueberry, tissue testing between late July and early August is recommended. This is also a
good time to sample June-bearing strawberry. For day neutrals, sample leaves in July or August if planted in
May or June. If fall planted, collect day-neutral leaves the following year when the planting is fruiting.
Soil Testing
All crops: Pre-planting soil testing is critical.
Adjusting soil pH & incorporating nutrients (like
potassium and phosphorus) that don’t move readily
from surface applications should happen before
planting.
Strawberries: For annual/short term crops like
strawberries, soil testing is usually the only method
used for adjusting nutrient programs. After renovation
is recommended for multi-year plantings.
Soil testing to diagnose problems: Most useful when
combined with in-field observations, results of annual
leaf tissue sampling, and a history of a fertility
program and other soil/tissue tests.
Seasonal timing: Fall or spring is common, but it’s
very important to be consistent! There can be big
differences if you test in the spring in one year and
fall in the another. Don’t test in spring after any
fertilization. •
Location of sampling: Between the dripline and base
of the plants & enough to be representative of the
entire field. Move any mulch aside before collecting a
soil sample.
For a concise explanation of the how to take and how
to interpret soil and tissue sampling, use this six page
guide: Nutrient Management of Berry Crops in Oregon
(2013)
Nutrition Resources for Berry Growers
Strawberry Nutrient Management Guide Oregon
and Washington (May, 2019/Oregon State
University)
Nutrient Management for Blueberries in Oregon
(Published: Nov. 2006; Reviewed: June,
2016/Oregon State University)
Caneberries Nutrient Management Guide
(Published: Jan. 2006; Reviewed: July,
2016/Oregon State University)
NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG
RECOMMENDED TIMING & FREQUENCY OF TESTING
Soil Sampling
Always before planting.
For analyzing problem situations.
Only every few years for maintenance checks. Not
needed every year.
Tissue Sampling
Every year at the same time –for blueberries and
floricane raspberries and blackberries this is the last
week in July through the first week in August.
For analyzing problem situations—take samples from
both healthy and unhealthy areas of the field for
comparing.
RECOMMENDED PROTOCOLS/ COMMENTS FOR TISSUE
TESTING
Blueberries-- Collect the most recent, fully-expanded
leaf with the petiole attached (leaf stem) only from
shoots below where fruit is/was located.
Raspberries & Blackberries-- Collect the most recent,
fully-expanded leaf with the petiole attached (leaf
stem) only from the primocanes-- about 12 inches
from the tip.
Cultivars should be sampled separately, as should
any problem areas in the field.
If they are covered with dust, rinse them briefly and
let them air dry; otherwise do not wash.
All blueberry and floricane fruiting caneberry
cultivars, regardless of ripening time, should be
sampled in the late-July to early-August window.
Leaf nutrient concentrations naturally change
throughout the season (from spring to autumn) so
these published standards are NOT applicable if you
sample tissue outside the late July-early August
sampling time.
Other Considerations
It’s best to pair results of tissue tests with in-field
observations when deciding on whether or not to
modify a nutrient management program.
PAGE 02
 Grower Resources

REGIONAL FIELD REPORTS

Oregon, Willamette Valley (7/26) From Julie Pond, Peerbolt Crop Management, Portland, OR
Blueberry: Liberty and Calypso are slated to begin or just have started which means we are in the mid-seasons
harvest. Fresh harvest Duke is complete down in our valley and Draper, Top Shelf, and Legacy are second picks
or later.

Caneberry: Blackberries will have Triple Crown being very close to harvest in the next week because of this
heat so SWD sprays are going on. The main raspberry harvest is finished and primocane fruiting raspberries
are coming on.

Strawberry: Lygus bug are hammering the Day Neutral strawberries and catfacing is a concern. I'm even seeing
some white fly activity which I haven't seen for years. Strawberry Crown Moth peak flight was a week ago so
management has just started in black raspberry and strawberry fields.

Catfacing in Albion strawberry. July 27, 2022. Willamette Valley, Albion strawberry. July 27, 2022. Willamette Valley, OR. Photo by
OR. Photo by Julie Pond. Julie Pond.

British Columbia, Fraser Valley (8/2) From Chuck Mouritzen, Southwest Crop Consulting, Chilliwack,
BC
Blueberries: We are well into the Duke pick now with significant volumes coming off the last week or so. By the
end of this weekend a majority of this variety will be off. Reka now picking and some early attempts at Draper.
But I don't think Draper will really start till later next week. Last weeks heat wave created some softness issues
and the return to milder temps this week is creating a more comfortable environment for both the fruit and
people in the field.

Raspberries: Raspberries are into the final stages with another week in Meekers and possibly a little more in
fields in good condition. We've been seeing some floricane collapse in Meeker through the pick season. Severe
in some fields and minor in others. Mite issues have not really been significant and yellow rust has not been a
problem so far. So primocane development continues to be good.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 03
 PEST ALERT: SWD

Spotted Wing Drosophila larvae are being found in strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. This is not
a low SWD population season. While this heat could have a knock down effect on populations, it’s
important to keep in mind what your market can bear with regards to SWD pressure. Be prepared to:

Monitor fruit often for SWD larvae using the fruit dunk method.
understand that trapping for adult SWD while fruit is ripening isn’t as effective as trapping before
ripening due to competition with attractive fruit.
consider appropriate management for your markets, refer to berry pesticide options and MRLs as
needed.

Liberty blueberry. July 27, 2022. Willamette Valley, OR. Photo by Triple Crown blackberry. July 27, 2022. Willamette Valley, OR.
Julie Pond. Photo by Julie Pond.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 04
 Blueberry Bud Development

PATR I O T BLUEJAY DUKE DRAP E R TOP S H E LF LIBE R T Y AURO R A LAST C A LL

WEEK 32 8/01/22
WEEK 31 7/29/21
WEEK 31 8/07/20
WEEK 31 8/02/19

PATR I O T BLUEJAY DUKE DRAP E R TOP S H E LF LIBE R T Y AURO R A LAST C A LL

 Industry News

Brought to you by

PODCASTS OF THE INDUSTRY

The Business of Blueberries: A podcast from the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council hosted by
Kasey Cronquist and Rod Cook.
WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON HUNGER, NUTRITION AND HEALTH WITH MOLLIE
VAN LIEU OF IFPA

PolliNation: A podcast from Oregon State University Extension Service hosted by Dr. Andony
Melathopoulos.
216 - YANG AND HENLE - MACHINES LEARNING TO CLASSIFY INSECTICIDES AS TOXIC
TO BEES

NEWSLETTERS OF THE INDUSTRY

2021 USHBC Impact Report Now Available

Generating a Vaccinium Pangenome To Unlock Previously Hidden Genetic Variation

There’s Just a Few Days Left! - NABC Awards

Ag Innovations Conference & Annual Harvest Dinner • September 22 - 23

‘The Business of Blueberries’: White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health With Mollie Van Lieu of IFPA

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 06
FEATURED LINKS
Offer your farm bill feedback (7/28, Farm Futures)

PACIFIC NORTHWEST
Japanese beetles pop up elsewhere in Washington
READ MORE
(7/28, Capital Press)

'A rudderless ship:' Irrigators struggle with Oregon water policy

READ MORE
(7/28, Capital Press)

Heat wave puts Oregon's new workplace safety rules to the test
READ MORE
(7/28, Capital Press)

Washington legislators seek end to frozen blueberry tariff

READ MORE
(7/18, Fruit Grower News)

Washington farmers say extreme heat, heavy rainfall present challenges for crops
READ MORE
(7/29, king5.com)

CALIFORNIA
Naturipe touts big blueberry supply
READ MORE
(7/26, The Packer)

BERRIES
Fruitful Prospects Continue To Flourish for Berry Growers Today
READ MORE
(7/26, Growing Produce)

Plenty of Reasons To Admire the U.S. Blueberry Industry

READ MORE
(6/14, Growing Produce)

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 07
 August Crop Management for Week 32

Follow Heat Stress Rules in your region. Here is an example of worker heat rules that just took effect
a few months ago in Oregon.

Pesticide and MRL Resources:

Washington Blueberry
Oregon Blueberry
Blueberry MRLs
Oregon Caneberry
Oregon Strawberry
Caneberry MRLs

View on NBF website

Harvest fleet. July, 2011. Photo by Tom Peerbolt.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 08
All Crops
Early green/coloring/ harvesting fruit management
Monitor for Spotted Wing Drosophila

Blueberries

Monitor fruit for rot symptoms: Green Berry Botrytis and Anthracnose favor cool, wet weather patterns.
Scout for Scorch and Shock virus symptoms
Scout for Mummy Berry blueberries for future season management. No management is effective for the
remainder of this season.
Continue for aphid control where scorch virus transmission is an issue.
Blueberry Gall Midge Tip damage from this midge is due to begin showing up in southern blueberries.
Damage is usually deemed to not be economic except in specific situations like new vigorous fields where
gall midge can occasionally cause too much stunting of new growth.
Azalea Bark Scale. This scale's telltale bright white egg sacs on the lower branches of infested plants
should be close to spreading now.

Blackberries
Scout for Rose Stem Girdler ‘galls’ on floricanes.
Remove any plants with Orange Rust on primocanes and/or floricanes.
Scout for Purple Blotch lesions in Marion berries to assess field disease levels for later treatments.
Scout for Botrytis on blossoms/ fruit.
Monitor for Red Berry Mite and apply preventative horticulture oils on green fruit for late season blackberry
varieties.
Soil sample post harvest fields.

Raspberries
Scout for mites: Two Spotted mites
Monitor leaves for Yellow Rust. Uredinia stage is the main management stage.
Scout for Botrytis on fruit.
Soil sample post harvest fields.

Strawberries
Soil sample post harvest June bearers.
Monitor for Strawberry Crown Moth flight.
Day Neutral: Scout fruit symptoms of Powdery Mildew.
Day Neutral: Monitor bloom/plants for Lygus Bug and monkey faced berries.
Day Neutral: Thrips monitoring on bloom.
Day Neutral: Two-spotted Spider mite monitoring.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 09
 Small Fruit
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NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 10
Industry Calendar

AUGUST 2022

07 2022 High Chill Field + Forum

8:00 AM - 3:00 PM. REGISTER HERE

16-17 NASGA Summer Tour

2022 SUMMER TOUR IN ONTARIO CANADA! REGISTER HERE

SEPTEMBER 2022

07 Washington Red Raspberry Commission Meeting 1pm

LYNDEN, WA. FOR ZOOM IN OPTIONS, EMAIL HENRY BEIRLINK.

OCTOBER 2022

5-7 The Blueberry Summit

REGISTER HERE

Washington Red Raspberry Commission Meeting 1pm

26
LYNDEN, WA. FOR ZOOM IN OPTIONS, EMAIL HENRY BEIRLINK.

Washington Blueberry Commission Meeting. Details TBA

26 ZOOM DETAILS TBA. FOR MORE INFORMATION EMAIL ALAN SCHREIBER.

NOVEMBER 2022
NCSFR Conference
14-16
TRI-CITIES, WA. HOTTEL BLOCK INFORMATION HERE

Washington Red Raspberry Commission Annual Meeting. Details TBA.

30
LYNDEN, WA. FOR ZOOM IN OPTIONS, EMAIL HENRY BEIRLINK.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 11
 THE SMALL FRUIT UPDATE
WEEK 32 | AUGUST 03, 2022

The Small Fruit Update is published by the Northwest Berry Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit. Our mission is to support
the northwest small fruit industry through education, research and information access. The SFU is made possible through the
generosity of our sponsors and readers like you. Donate today, and together we can help our berry growing community thrive.

Thank you for your support!

DONATE NOW

Abby Gearing,
This is the sole industry publication, SFU Designer & Editor
gathering grower and producer news, and abby@nwberries.org
regional field reports to unite, stabilize, and
strengthen the Northwest berry growing Elisa Ford,
NBF Co-Director
region (Canada and US).
elisa@nwberries.org

Production is independent of government

Julie Pond,
and commercial control and made possible NBF Co-Director & Editor
by the following commission & councils. julie@peerbolt.com

For more information or requests please Tom Peerbolt,

contact: info@nwberries.org Director At-Large, Chief Editor Emeritus
tom@peerbolt.com.