Blueberries in California Steve Buzzarp, Pu.D. Director of Operations and General Manager Lagomarsino Farming, Valley Sweet Packing Visalia, CA 93277 sblizzard@thegrid.net Limited blueberries have been grown in California for many years. However, with the increased interest in anti-oxi- dants and diets rich in berries, California farmers have devel- oped a new awareness of blueberry culture. Traditionally blueberries have been grown along the cooler, higher rainfall areas of the coast. With the renewed interest, however, large commercial plantings have moved to the Central San Joaquin Valley with its desert environment. California is a large state with many micro-climates that differ greatly making it impos- sible to generalize about blueberry culture. For this discus- sion, the Central San Joaquin Valley will be considered. If you are planning to grow berries in one of these microclimates you should consult your county farm advisor for environmen: tal details of that parucular area. Possibly the greatest advantage to growing blueberries in the San Joaquin Valley is the early and long growing season. ‘Over 250 fruit and vegetable crops can be grown commercially in this fertile region. With adequate irrigation, record yields can be achieved with most of these crops. The same is project ced with blueberries using the southern highbush (SH) variet ies. Growers using the new low-chill SH varieties can expect, harvest dates starting around May 1, with 5 to 6 months post harvest growing season. This long, hot, high light, growing sea son produces rapid plant growth, and depending on variety plants should be spaced $ to 4 feet apart in the row and 10 to 12 feet between rows, using a east/west row orientation, Re- search has shown that the best time to plant in this region is, October to November. Best results have been found using larger 1 or 2 year old plants from a reputable nursery. Varieties should be investigated thoroughly before a choice is made County agriculture advisors, area growers and nursery repre- sentatives should be consulted. A blueberry planting should remain productive for 20 to 25 years. Variety selection, market ing strategies and grower goals should be heavily considered It isimperative to remember that hand blueberry harvest is ex tremely labor intensive. Variety harvest dates should be ar ranged to get a fairly even flow to eliminate peak demands for harvest labor, harvest and packing equipment. Hand harvest ing the SH varieties may require up to four pickings (Fig. A) Cross-pollination is suggested for SH varieties for opt mum production. Compatible pollinating varieties and plant ing ratios also can be obtained from the county farm advisor or from a reputable nurseryman. A “panel system” of plant ing, where solid rows of the pollinating variety are planted next to solid rows of the producing variety is recommended, This allows individual treatment of varieties independent of each other. This isa convenient and efficient method of gain- ing pollination. Honeybees are commonly used as pollinators in most outdoor plantings at 1.5 to 2 hives per acre. However, bumblebees have been used with success in plastic tunnels or DR. STEVE BLIZZARD Valley Sweet Packing Visalia, CA other covering structures. Rate of bumblebees is four boxes or one quad per acre. They are commercially produced and sold in boxes throughout the United States (Fig. F) Most of the San Joaquin Valley with its mild winters is con- sidered a “Iow-chill” area (600 to 900 hrs) The SH varieties were developed to be grown in areas where dormancy is a problem. The rabbiteye varieties are also considered “low. chill,” however, they ripen 3 to 4 weeks later than SH, thus los ing the early market window advantage and profit. Northern highbush will not break bud or bloom normally in warmer ar as of California. There are many SH varieties that perform well under California conditions from early May until July Plastic (polyethylene) tunnels and structures are used to fur ther the advance of SH blueberry season (Figs. DandE). With low-chill SH, you can begin warming up the environment to move the harvest date earlier. These structures can also pro- tect the plant from low spring temperatures if frost is a prob- lem, Careful records should be taken to determine when the dormancy requirement for the variety has been satisfied. As soon as this dormancy is satisfied the plants can be covered. Presplant soil preparation is essential, for successful crop- ping of blueberries. A well drained, sandy, loam soil should be selected, soil tested and nutrition tested. If possible, 2 years of cover crops such as Sudan grass should be plowed down to in- ‘crease tilth and organic matter. Care and above all, time should ye taken to eliminate any problem areas in the new planting, Problems such as heavy soils, sand streaks and poor drainage 2Blueberries |B. The ro hose drip irsgaton design gives better water distribu tion to the root systems in early years varieties in the Central San Joaquin Valley of California. (Courtesy of Fall Creek Farm and Nursery, Inc., Lowell, OR 9 D. The covered “tunnel” system used for blueberries further ad: vances the season for early crop sales. Note: The support system C. Modern sand filter and double wall containment injection sys. PHOSKS Access f0 every other row tem for sulfuric acid used to lower irrigation water pH, which in turn Towers soil pH under San Joaquin Valley conditions E, “Free span” blueberry covering system that allows equipment _F. This isa commercially available box of bumble bees used for access in all rows. The polyethylene tunnels and coverage. pollination of covered blueberriesBlueberries should be addressed. Remembering that the blueberry has shallow, fibrous root systems, most of these problems can be climinated using the raised bed or “berm” growing system. AF so, row spacing and headland space should be considered in the event that mechanical harvesting is used. Macro and micro- elements should be adjusted to recommended levels. Soil pH can be one of the most difficult problems for San Joaquin Val- ley soils that tend to be high (7.3 to 8.0). The SH blueberry pre- fers pH’s of 4.5 to 5.5. The most common method of lowering pHs to incorporate elemental sulfur. However, the amount to be used and predicting the after reaction in pH is difficult, plus the reaction is slow. When free lime is present in the soil faster results can be achieved with sulfuric acid (H,SO,) as a top dress or soil injection. Fumigation should be considered when new plantings are following previous cropped soil. The raised bed should be drawn up and grooved down the middle where plants are to be planted. The grooves will be filled with mulch, after planting which will protect young developing roots. pH adjustment and fumigation can be accomplished easily in this, configuration (Fig. B). Raised beds or berms will reduce the amount of soil to be fumigated and/or pH adjustment. Irriga- tion is easier to control with the drip hoses located on either side of the plant on top of the raised bed. Temperature of the root zone rises faster and earlier in the season, thus bringing about an earlier harvest. If mechanical harvesting is anticipat- ed, the raised bed will also reduce fruit loss by raising the plant higher than the drive row, which narrows the bottom of the plant allowing the catch surface to get closer to the plant. Irrigation is essential in the desert climate of the Central Val ley. Micro sprinklers and under plant drip irrigation have been used effectively for water conservation. Micro sprinklers work well in the early years of planting development but with age the plants tend to distort the sprinkler pattern. Drip irigation using a two hose configuration with 2 gallon per hour drippers every 18 inches has performed well. The two hose system is preferred, to the single hose to deliver the same amount of water and better distribute the water over the root pattern. With this system, a blueberry planting in full production can be expected 10 use 1 to 20 acre/feet of water per year. These rates will vary under dif ferent soil conditions and mulches. Soil moisture should be monitored closely to prevent over watering even in this hot dry climate. Itis better to irrigate more often with less water than to use larger amounts of water less frequently. Thisis especially true when mulchesare employed. The shallow, fibrous root system of the blueberry plant thrives in the warm desert climate when pro- tected from large moisture and temperature fluctuations. As in most areas where blueberries are grown, mulches are essential, This is especially true with the SH. Mulches have shown to in- crease plant growth and fruit yield. Ground soft wood fines, pine bark and sawdust work well. Mulch should be coarse enough to allow good water penetration and gas exchange to and from the root zone. Mulches that will cause soil temperature to increase in the root zone such as black plastic should be avoided under hot California conditions. Overhead irrigation has preformed well for supplemental water, evaporative cooling and the maintenance of a cover crop. However, as mentioned before, the two-drip hose sys tem has been more efficient for fertigation and the mainte- nance of pH with sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid injecting systems (Fig. ©) are effective tools for adjusting irrigation water to pH 0f 3.5 to 40. Soil moistures and soil pH should be monitored closely. Commercial acid injecting systems are available and lend themselves to automation and accuracy. The use of sul- 213 furic acid will also keep irrigation line and drippers clean. All cultural practices should be designed to reduce and maintain desired pH in these naturally high calcium soils, ‘Commercial blueberry culture is relatively new to the Cen- ‘ual San Joaquin Valley, and as of yet, there have been no major insects or diseases reported. On the other hand, insects like west: fem flower thrips and cottony cushiony scale have caused con- cernand should be monitored. Flat head borer and leafhoppers are common pests of other crops and may become a concern, Botryosphaeria dothidia (stem blight) on new plantings ofthe vari ety “Misty” has been noted here but as yet is not a major prob- lem. However, as acreage of blueberries increases its logical to expect diseases and pests will follow as wellas problems that arise ‘with a new crop introduced into a non-traditional growing area, Rodent control is especially critical in blueberries where mulches are used. Pocket gophers and squirrel infestations can destroy a planting quickly if left unchecked. Mulches and the fibrous root system of the plant offer an attractive habitat for rodents and should be constantly monitored for damage and/or rodent activity. Birds can be a problem in California. Scare cannons, electronic sound systems, trapping, predator birds and decoys can help but will not eliminate the problem. Before planting, a careful survey should be conducted to lo- cate and eliminate any natural or man made attractions for birds, such as, roosting sites, feed lot, urban areas, grain iclds, wooded ateas ur Landfill. Itimay require reconsidering ie blueberry planting as opposed to facing a bird problem. Covering the block with bird netting is quite effective, how- ever, with large plantings is not feasible. ‘The current trend in California is to increase blueberries acreage mainly in the San Joaquin Valley. New planting range from 5 to 10 acre plots to 100 acres plus, with larger growers planting 80 to 150 acre units. As the popularity of blueberries Increases and growing techniques are fine tuned, it can be ex- pected that California will likely become a major player in USS. blueberry production. A Mixture of Blucberry and Pomegranate juices sold near San Di- ego, California. Pomegranate juice seems to counter arthritis