The Blueberry Pruning Hands-on Workshop, co-sponsored by WSU Small Farms Program and Tilth Producers of Washington, was held at Blue Heron Farm near Rockport on March 12, 2013. Twenty nine people attended, ranging from Tilth members, WSU Small Farms Program representatives, students, small farm owners and interns, and community members interested in growing blueberries. Located in the fertile upper Skagit Valley, nestled next to the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, Blue Heron Farm receives nearly 80 inches of rain per year. Anne Schwartz grows one+ acre of blueberries and raspberries, 5-7 acres of vegetables and several acres of bamboo, and sells produce at Farmer’s markets, the Environmental Learning Center at the Northern Cascade Institute, a local grocer, The Skagit Valley Food Coop, and a small CSA.
On this cold, rainy day Anne greeted attendees with Jim Meyer of Cascadian Farms, and Rocelia Floers-Cruz a farm manager at Cascadian Home Farm. Together, the three farmers have over 60 years experience in pruning, harvesting and cultivating blueberries. Rocelia provided translation into Spanish while Jim and Anne shared information about many facets of blueberry production.
Protected from the rain under canopies, they gathered to discuss the history of Blue Heron Farm’s plants and operations. They described blueberry roots’ transplanting and water needs. Among diseases discussed were mummy berry, Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi, and methods to reduce incidence: timing, raking debris out, and providing a layer of compost and sawdust as a physical barrier to prevent the spore cups from dispersing their spores. We explored the soil needs of blueberries including how to collect leaves for testing the pH level in the soil, proper choice of sawdust for mulching, spacing of plants, and watering. Many questions were asked and answered.
The farmers demonstrated blueberry pruning and described brushy-twiggy, a term for those branches we would cut from the plant since they have few to no fruit buds. Anne described her experience in her field, showing examples of plants that were thriving and those that were not. Blue Heron Farm’s goal is to prune in order to promote vigor in the plants to encourage new strong growth, while also encouraging berries for this year’s harvest. Those priorities guided the choice to remove some of the older canes and keep strong young canes, plus keeping those with ample berry buds. The group practiced techniques in the blueberry field and worked on the berry bushes, with Jim, Anne and Rocelia, providing feedback and expertise. Participants exchanged ideas and worked together.
Afterward, we shared reflections, filled out evaluations and enjoyed snacks back under the canopies. Then, participants had the opportunity to view Anne’s hoop house, funded by NRCS, or go to Cascadian farm and view the blueberry operations there.
Blue Heron website: http://www.fidalgo.net/~als/
Farm walk booklet: Click Here