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 about 23,000 acres harvested for a farm gate value of over $123 million. Berry crops are grown on over 1000 family farms in Oregon. 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.

The berry research program at the NWREC led by Dr. Strik 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

Strawberry Nutrient Management Guide for Oregon and Washington

Strawberry growers in Oregon and Washington raise fruit for both the processed and fresh markets, using both conventional and certified organic systems. This guide explains nutrient management for June-bearing and day-neutral cultivars ...

Bernadine Strik | May 2019 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

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 skills with ...

Cassie Bouska, Bernadine Strik | Mar 2018 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Raspberry Cultivars for the Pacific Northwest

This publication describes raspberry cultivars, including red, yellow, black, and purple types. It explains the difference between floricane-fruiting and primocane-fruiting cultivars, includes information on commercial value, and identifies which cultivars work well for home gardens.

Bernadine Strik | Jan 2018 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Photo: Amanda Davis (Cropped from original)

Newly Updated Kiwifruit Extension publication

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

Growing Kiwifruit: A Guide to Kiwiberries and Fuzzy Kiwifruit for Pacific North…

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

'Elliott' blueberries are machine harvested for a research trial in August 2018

Photo by Amanda Davis (Cropped from original)

Enroll in the next offering of the Online Blueberry Physiology, Production Systems, & Management Course!

Learn the fundamentals of blueberry plant physiology and growth, species and types grown and cultivar adaptation, planting establishment, production systems, and important pests to develop successful new plantings or improve the yield and production efficiency of existing planting in this online, instructor-led certificate program offered by Professional and Continuing Education at Oregon State University.

Within a collaborative, research- and experience-based curriculum and interaction with the instructor and peers through a discussion board, you will finish the course with a comprehensive knowledge of growing thriving bushes.

Enroll Here!