Sasakatoon bushes are blooming!

POSTED IN For Consumers, For Growers, For Members ON 5/29/2014

The saskatoon bushes are blooming! While many farms will see a weather-related harvest delay of a couple of weeks compared to last year, many should have berries by mid-July. As each member U-Pick location learns more, we will post their open hours on our calendar, where you can also find location information and mapping.

Spring Pruning of Saskatoon Bushes

POSTED IN For Consumers, For Growers, Uncategorized ON 5/5/2014

While pruning is not required for saskatoon bushes, it can be a valuable way to increase the size and ripeness of fruit. The picture below shows a field of pruned bushes.   In the lane on the left you can see the brush that has been pruned. On the right, the brush has been chipped with a modified flail mower. This picture and description were provided by Amy MacArthur of AJ’s Garden & Produce (ajsberryfarm@gmail.com).

May 2014 Board Meeting Date Announced

POSTED IN For Members ON 5/5/2014

The Board of Directors of the Saskatoon Berry Institute of North America will meet on Thursday, May 15th, 2014 at 6:30 at Acme Township Hall, 6042 Acme Rd, Williamsburg, MI 49690.

Members of the Institute and other interested parties are welcome to attend.

Farm Tour Announcement – Come See How Saskatoons Grow

POSTED IN For Consumers, For Growers, For Members ON 5/1/2014

The agenda for the day is as follows:

8:30 AM                Meet at The Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station

(6686 S Center Hwy, Traverse City, MI 49684)

Reserve Your Lunch

8:45 AM                 Leave for first stop

9:00 AM                 Arrive at Rick Billings Farm (Harry’s Road)

FOCUS: 2 year old plantings of blueberries and saskatoons

10:00 AM              Leave for next stop

10:15 AM              Arrive at Jacob’s Farm (M-72)

FOCUS: 5 year old plantings of saskatoons And hascaps

11:00 AM              Leave for next stop

11:30 AM              Arrive at The Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station for Lunch

                               Tour of saskatoon research plot

                               Discussion of future research needs

                               Update on 2014 pest control measures

                               Presentation on the Grow Benzie incubator kitchen

Overview of The Saskatoon Berry Institute of North America

 1:00 PM                Leave for next stop

1:45 PM                 Arrive at Jim Dixon Farm (Williamsburg area)

FOCUS: 3 year old plantings of saskatoons

2:30 PM                 Leave for next stop

3:00 PM                 Arrive at Steve DuCheney Farm/Nursery (Williamsburg area)

FOCUS: 3 year old plantings of saskatoons

Discussion on propagation of saskatoons and meeting future plant needs.

4:00 PM                 Final comments and Q & A

4:15 PM                 Head home or back to station

NOTES:

Car pool if possible to minimize the number of vehicles. 

To register for the tour, call Steve Fouch at 231-715-6022. 

We will need a final number by Wednesday, June 4.  

The $10.00 fee is payable at the door, when arriving at the Research station.  

Make checks payable to:  Saskatoon Berry Institute of North America.