Buckeye Yard and Garden onLine

Dave Goerig reported the Mahoning County office received a call last week for raspberry (Rubes spp.) spray schedule information.  The home fruit grower was determined to get ahead of some of the things that plagued his personal berry crop last year.  The program the professional small fruit growers use is published in OSU Extension Bulletin 861, "Midwest Small Fruit Pest Management Handbook" and its companion Bulletin 506B2 "Midwest Commercial Small Fruit and Grape Spray Guide."  These bulletins are a must for anyone attempting to grow or care for brambles and other small fruits throughout Ohio and the Midwest. 

The information located in these bulletins is phenologically organized.  The charts are labeled with a description of what the plant looks like when one might see a particular pest.  The information in the guide starts when the plants are dormant.  It moves through the pre-bloom stage and petal fall, then lists post-bloom through harvest stages.  It finishes with the post harvest chart.  It also lists the legal controls, rates of application and other important comments.

The information does a great job of identifying cover spray options to help manage fungal infestations of the plant and its precious fruit.  Towards the end of the raspberry section the writers publish some special comments relative to the plant health care product labels, disease cycle information and raspberry cultural tips.  Copies can be ordered from your local county extension office or are available online.  An OSU Extension Factsheet on backyard raspberry production can be viewed at:  [ http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1421.html ].

For more information, see:

• Midwest Small Fruit and Grape Net
• Raspberry Factsheet