Berry Crops

The overall goal of the berry crops research and extension program is to help growers of blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, strawberry, cranberry, and kiwi fruit make educated decisions with regard to planting establishment and management to improve economic viability and sustainability.

About the Berry Crops Production, Physiology, and Breeding Program

Oregon has a diverse, economically important berry crop industry with over 30,000 acres harvested for a farm gate value of over $150 million.

The berry research program at the NWREC includes: 1) production and physiology research; and 2) serving as the OSU lead on the berry crops breeding program, a cooperative effort between the USDA-ARS and OSU that started in 1917, has the objective of developing better berry crop varieties for the Pacific Northwest.

Our program has many trials underway in any given year, with updates on completed and ongoing research projects.

Berry Crops Production Systems Website

Photo: Amanda Davis (Cropped from original)

Featured Publications from the OSU Extension Catalog

Growing Berries on the Oregon Coast: An Overview

Includes general information on site selection, soils, irrigation, mulching, nutrient management, and other considerations specific to growing berries on the Oregon Coast. Take our online classes! Scale up your pruning ...

Cassie Bouska, Emily Dixon, Bernadine Strik | Feb 2022 | Extension Catalog publication

Raspberry cultivars for the Pacific Northwest

Learn about raspberry cultivars, including red, yellow, black, and purple types. Understand the difference between floricane-fruiting and primocane-fruiting cultivars, and which cultivars work well for home gardens.

Chad Finn, Bernadine Strik, Patrick P. Moore | Dec 2024 | Extension Catalog publication

Blackberry Cultivars for Oregon

This publication describes blackberry cultivars, including trailing, erect, semierect, primocane-fruiting erect, and blackberry/red raspberry hybrids. It includes information on commercial value and identifies which cultivars work well for home gardens.

Chad Finn, Bernadine Strik | Jun 2023 | Extension Catalog publication

A cluster of kiwifruit growing on a vine.

Photo: Amanda Davis

Newly Updated Kiwifruit Extension publication

Check out this useful guide for producing kiwiberries and fuzzy kiwifruit!

Read the publication

Cover photo for "Growing Blackberries in Your Home Garden"

New resources for home gardeners!

Check out these guides to growing your own blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries. There is no better time to hone your knowledge and skills than now!

Go to OSU's Extension Catalog for more

Credit: Amanda Davis

Online pruning courses available

This course series covers a variety of pruning methods and techniques for berries, kiwifruits and grapes.

You can take any of these courses individually or take them all to become a pruning master!

Enroll here!

Does Mulch Make a Difference for Better Blueberry Crops? (in English)

Read the article

Photo by Amanda Davis (Cropped from original)

Browse related Extension resources

Browse all OSU Extension resources by topic. Or search for resources.

Meet our experts

Scott Lukas

Horticulture

Endowed Professor for Northwest Berry Production and Management

Amanda Davis

Faculty Research Assistant, Berry Crops

Servicio de Extensión de OSU

North Willamette Research and Extension Center