production demands & time line SYSTEM LONGEVITY Most of the crops suggested here are perennials with a long production cycle. Blueberries can continue to produce for 40 - 60 years, raspberries for 10 - 20 years, lignonberries for 30 years, and rhubarb for 10 - 15 years. This system is therefore quite a bit longerlived than the tree polyculture described in the first design. Beyond the primary perennial crops, there are a variety of annual crops, companion plants, and fungi that are recommended here to complement the plant system. PRODUCTION PLAN SKETCH Site establishment To prepare the site for berry production, the soil at the site will need to be well-drained and acidic. An average pH of 5,5 is suitable for all of the plants selected here. Blueberries prefer slightly more acidic soil (4,5 - 5,5) and rhubarb slightly less (6,5), but both can tolerate a mean acidity in the 5,5 range. Most berries also have a fairly shallow rooting structure and require heavy mulching with wood chips or leaf litter for optimal growth. Cultivar selection As with the tree polyculture, berry cultivars should be selected for disease resistance and optimal fruiting period. Different berry cultivars with a range of chill hour requirements can be selected to extend production season. Berry cultivars also range in terms of yield, quality, and size of the berries. Lignonberries require specific pollinator cultivars to be included as part of the cropping cycle (at least 10% pollinator cultivars). General guidelines Detailed cultivation guidelines need to be looked at for each of the crop types recommended here. The general pattern of production involves planting the bushes in late fall or early spring. All of these berries do well a well-drained, acidic loam of about 5,5 pH. They need rich organic matter, heavy mulching, and relatively shallow planting. Raspberries are not pruned in the first year, but are trained on a trellis from then on. The other berry varieties need annual pruning to keep an open center for better light access. Berries produce fruit on wood of various ages. Raspberries produce on 2-year old canes, which should be pruned out aſter fruiting. Blueberries produce on one year old wood, which continues to fruit through its fiſth year. Currants and gooseberries produce on tow and three year old wood. Pruning of all varieties is usually done in winter. As with the tree polyculture, the spaces underneath the berry bushes are suitable for mushroom cultivation. Depending on the season and the ambient greenhouse temperature and humidity, a range of seasonal mushrooms can be cultivated. In high summer, additional annual crops such as winter squashes and turnips can be planted among the berries for an added yield. These will grow in and mature as the berries head for dormancy. As in the other designs, the greenhouse is leſt unheated in winter months. WATER & NUTRIENT INPUTS The berry polyculture requires greater water inputs than the tree polyculture, since the majority of the crops in this selection have high water requirements. An average of 1500 mm of water should be applied per year. Drip irrigation, or sub-soil pressurized irrigation should be applied twice per week immediately aſter planting. The plants should also be irrigated in the fall just prior to dormancy (around October). POLLINATION To achieve adequate pollination, at least two hives per hectare are needed in the first year and four hives per hectare in May of the second year onwards. At the densities recommended in this plan, it is possible that the number of hives should even be further increased. Several of the berry varieties suggested here are self-fruitful, but in large plantings, even these crops can benefit from additional pollinators. HARVESTING & PROCESSING Blueberries ripen from mid-July to late August. They will hold on the bush for several days aſter ripening. Their full flavor peaks a few days aſter they turn blue. They should be picked aſter ripening at several points during the harvest season. Floricane raspberries, which bear on 2-year old shoots, produce over a 6 – 8 week period. Several varieties are usually planted to extended the harvest season to a four month period (June – September). They are harvested by hand every few days (twice per week) throughout the growing season. An average worker can collect 5 kilograms of fruit per hour. Lignonberries flower on 1-year old growth, and bloom in two periods: March-April and July – August. The fruit from these blooms ripens in mid-August and mid-October respectively. Currants and gooseberries ripen over a two week period. Red currants are usually picked as whole clusters. Gooseberries are harvested as individually berries and can be shaken from bushes onto canvas spread below. 44 / 64 Pagina 43
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