August/September 2023...
We are excited to share our PowerBerry experience and knowledge in order to help potential growers across Delaware and the US.
Our plan was to establish a Carefree and Healthy PowerBerry Orchard- growing 50 Viking Aronia, 25 Elderberry, and Several Hundred Yards of Thornless Erect Triple Crown Blackberry.
Aronia:
We planted Viking Aronia that came already 3 foot in height and with berries.
We spaced these 6 foot apart in rows 8 feet apart. This would allow space for a wagon or wheelbarrow, and would allow plenty of air movement for healthier plants.
We used a black plastic over the entire orchard area, with only a 12” hole burned for each plant. The planting hole was dug out, and added new fertilized soil and peat moss for required acidity. We chose to mulch with pine bark to add more acidity and in keeping the mulch ‘loose’ and airy. Drip lines were installed to each plant to provide much needed water during establishment and dry spells.
In June, we noticed pest pressure, and U of DE revealed cedar-quince rust and a cherry fruit worm. I treated organically with neem oil and a rust treatment.
Other pests noted during the growing season: Birds, Deer, Rabbits, Unicorn Caterpillar, Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Spotted Wing Drosophila, Japanese Beetle, and aphid
We relied heavily on organic pest methods, including fencings, nettings, and deterrents for deer, rabbits, and birds.
Aronia ripened by August. Starting August 15th, we daily tested the Brix/anthocyanin levels with a Refractometer- showing levels of 14-20. We were aiming for a brix level of 20, although most of the berries were picked at a level of 18/19 by Sept. 7th to keep from being dried and shriveled.
These were harvested by hand, into a basket, and sorted. Then, into the freezer, so that they could be later used in herbal preparations and/or sold. We used a Harvest RIght Freeze Dryer to Freeze Dry the berries for using/selling later.
Pruning: we pruned late winter- at the base- if there were canes that seemed old.
Elderberry
We planted in several locations to determine how well it survives given various circumstances.
-York was planted in a rocky non irrigated area. It thrived.
-Adams was planted in the yard and it thrived, although the weeds grew around it and we were afraid to mow closely for fear of cutting the suckers that were spreading.
-Canada was planted in a grow bag- using new bagged soils. This grow bag was sunken into the black plastic fabric -in the area near the aronia orchard. We wanted to prohibit them from “suckering into a thicket”. We ran drippers into each plant for dry time periods.
This was our own growing invention and worked well for preventing suckering, while maintaining a healthy plant. These produced as much as the other cultivars and were kept tidy.
Pests/problems: Only one of the Canadian plants seemed ‘off’, which makes us question if it truly is a Canadian cultivar or did we accidentally get another. Anyhow- this plant did not do as well as the others- although planted in the same grouping and on an outer edge( leaves shriveled and hardly any berries).
These were harvested by hand and frozen for future processing. These were used in Elderberry Syrups and Extracts.
Pruning: Late Winter, and was very easy to remove excess branching.
Blackberry Orchard:
Blackberry plants were spaced every 3 ft along a 6 ft high trellis. These 6 rows are spaced 10 feet to allow equipment and airflow. The entire area is on black plastic fabric to make for an easier and enjoyable picking experience. The plants were fertilized upon planting and wood mulch was applied around the plants.
Triple Crown thornless blackberries ripened in the summer and there were no pests except for the Japanese Beetle.
In September, the vines were intertwined throughout the trellising to keep tidy.
These were harvested by hand for future processing.
We did freeze dry these in a Harvest Right Freeze Dryer.
A wonderful project:
Many people came to our farm to specifically learn more about our PowerBerry Orchard project. We’ve enjoyed educating the public and are hoping that they will grow their own powerful berries!
We’re so very thankful to have worked with Delaware Dept of Ag and University of Delaware and Delaware State University. Without their help, we could never have accomplished all that we did. We're looking forward to many more people visiting our PowerBerry Orchard!
Dean and Jody
We are excited to share our PowerBerry experience and knowledge in order to help potential growers across Delaware and the US.
Our plan was to establish a Carefree and Healthy PowerBerry Orchard- growing 50 Viking Aronia, 25 Elderberry, and Several Hundred Yards of Thornless Erect Triple Crown Blackberry.
Aronia:
We planted Viking Aronia that came already 3 foot in height and with berries.
We spaced these 6 foot apart in rows 8 feet apart. This would allow space for a wagon or wheelbarrow, and would allow plenty of air movement for healthier plants.
We used a black plastic over the entire orchard area, with only a 12” hole burned for each plant. The planting hole was dug out, and added new fertilized soil and peat moss for required acidity. We chose to mulch with pine bark to add more acidity and in keeping the mulch ‘loose’ and airy. Drip lines were installed to each plant to provide much needed water during establishment and dry spells.
In June, we noticed pest pressure, and U of DE revealed cedar-quince rust and a cherry fruit worm. I treated organically with neem oil and a rust treatment.
Other pests noted during the growing season: Birds, Deer, Rabbits, Unicorn Caterpillar, Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Spotted Wing Drosophila, Japanese Beetle, and aphid
We relied heavily on organic pest methods, including fencings, nettings, and deterrents for deer, rabbits, and birds.
Aronia ripened by August. Starting August 15th, we daily tested the Brix/anthocyanin levels with a Refractometer- showing levels of 14-20. We were aiming for a brix level of 20, although most of the berries were picked at a level of 18/19 by Sept. 7th to keep from being dried and shriveled.
These were harvested by hand, into a basket, and sorted. Then, into the freezer, so that they could be later used in herbal preparations and/or sold. We used a Harvest RIght Freeze Dryer to Freeze Dry the berries for using/selling later.
Pruning: we pruned late winter- at the base- if there were canes that seemed old.
Elderberry
We planted in several locations to determine how well it survives given various circumstances.
-York was planted in a rocky non irrigated area. It thrived.
-Adams was planted in the yard and it thrived, although the weeds grew around it and we were afraid to mow closely for fear of cutting the suckers that were spreading.
-Canada was planted in a grow bag- using new bagged soils. This grow bag was sunken into the black plastic fabric -in the area near the aronia orchard. We wanted to prohibit them from “suckering into a thicket”. We ran drippers into each plant for dry time periods.
This was our own growing invention and worked well for preventing suckering, while maintaining a healthy plant. These produced as much as the other cultivars and were kept tidy.
Pests/problems: Only one of the Canadian plants seemed ‘off’, which makes us question if it truly is a Canadian cultivar or did we accidentally get another. Anyhow- this plant did not do as well as the others- although planted in the same grouping and on an outer edge( leaves shriveled and hardly any berries).
These were harvested by hand and frozen for future processing. These were used in Elderberry Syrups and Extracts.
Pruning: Late Winter, and was very easy to remove excess branching.
Blackberry Orchard:
Blackberry plants were spaced every 3 ft along a 6 ft high trellis. These 6 rows are spaced 10 feet to allow equipment and airflow. The entire area is on black plastic fabric to make for an easier and enjoyable picking experience. The plants were fertilized upon planting and wood mulch was applied around the plants.
Triple Crown thornless blackberries ripened in the summer and there were no pests except for the Japanese Beetle.
In September, the vines were intertwined throughout the trellising to keep tidy.
These were harvested by hand for future processing.
We did freeze dry these in a Harvest Right Freeze Dryer.
A wonderful project:
Many people came to our farm to specifically learn more about our PowerBerry Orchard project. We’ve enjoyed educating the public and are hoping that they will grow their own powerful berries!
We’re so very thankful to have worked with Delaware Dept of Ag and University of Delaware and Delaware State University. Without their help, we could never have accomplished all that we did. We're looking forward to many more people visiting our PowerBerry Orchard!
Dean and Jody