Greetings from Whately–
As we embrace the fall season, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the year and share some exciting updates from Nourse Farms. Over the past year, our team has been dedicated to enhancing our plant propagation systems with a focus on improving plant health and durability. By refining these processes, we’ve been able to reduce the effects of weather-related stress and keep disease pressures in check. We’ve also prioritized improving root development and airflow to promote healthier, stronger plants that are better equipped to thrive when they reach your operations. We’re committed to providing you with the highest quality plants possible.
We’re also pleased to share that this year’s growing season has been a great success for us. Our crops are looking strong, and we’re excited to offer a robust selection of plants ready for sale. As the excitement for locally grown fruit continues to build, we’re working hard to ensure we bring the best berry varieties to market so that you, in turn, can offer your customers high-quality fruit.
Additionally, this fall marks an exciting time for Nourse Farms as we refresh our brand. While our commitment to quality and service remains the same, we’ve introduced a new logo
and redesigned our website to better serve you. The site includes a dedicated section for commercial growers, making it easier and faster to access information and place orders.
We remain proud to support you, our valued growers, and we look forward to continuing to grow together. The small fruit industry is full of opportunity, and we’re here to help you succeed at every step. Thank you for your continued trust in Nourse Farms, and here’s to another season of growth and success!
Best Regards,
John Place
Chief Executive Officer jplace@noursefarms.com
Strawberry Site Selection & Preparation
A key component to successful strawberry production is site selection and preparation. A nutritionallyhealthy planting site with well-drained soil exposure to air movement is less susceptible to damage from pests and frosts. With the perennial nature of this crop, a poor site choice can create unnecessary problems for years to come. There are many factors to consider in site selection and preparation.
Site History
A well-thought-out field rotation strategy is key in site selection. Considerations:
1. Avoid a site where previous crops have included brambles, strawberries, potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, or peppers. These crops may harbor soil pathogens such as Verticillium, Phytophthora, and nematodes, which may affect new plantings.
2. Generally, the highest productivity from a strawberry field is in its first fruiting year, when it has never been used for strawberry production. The longer the period between plantings, the better they will perform. Consider setting aside land for rotation in future years because a minimum of 3–4 years should elapse between plantings on the same site.
3. Knowing the herbicide application history is important. Some herbicides are persistent in the soil and can affect sensitive crops like strawberries 18, 24, and even 36 months out from the application. Knowing what product (s) were used the previous 1–2 years prior to planting is critical; 3–4 years ideal. Group 2 herbicides (ALS inhibitor), commonly used in corn, soybean, and other crops, are generally a persistent herbicide group. An example of a Group 2 herbicide used in pumpkin fields is Sandea, which indicates a plant back time of 36 months for strawberries on its label. Some products have no listing for strawberry plant back, but the possibility of carryover to a new strawberry planting exists. Without direction from the product label, it’s best to be cautious and wait 36 months. Herbicide carryover can cause crop injury ranging from minimal to complete crop loss or plant kill.
Location
In choosing field location, growers must balance several factors:
1. Air drainage. Cold air, like water, runs downhill and collects in low areas or areas where trees or hedgerows obstruct airflow. These ‘frost pockets’ increase the risk of both mid-winter cold injury and spring frost damage, putting the plants under stress which can make them more susceptible to pests. Selecting a site with a gentle slope (3–4%) and good air drainage will also reduce this risk. Good air drainage will also promote faster drying of foliage, flowers, and fruit which reduces the duration and frequency of disease infection periods.
2. Slope grades. Avoid steep slopes (greater than 5%), because they are erodible and difficult to cultivate and irrigate uniformly.
3. Direction. South-facing slopes tend to increase the risk of frost injury in spring because plants generally bloom earlier, and west-facing slopes present the greatest risk for winter injury because they are exposed to persistent, desiccating winds in winter.
4. Water availability. Strawberry plants need a lot of water for both irrigation and frost protection. For successful berry production, the site must have access to an ample supply of high-quality water.
5. Customer and personnel access. For U-Pick operations, having fields with close proximity to parking is the most efficient to manage. Wagon rides to and from the field add management considerations. If berries will be sold retail, production fields should be close to outlets to minimize time in transit.
Soil Properties
Strawberries cannot tolerate standing water or the diseases that thrive in wet conditions. If the site is too wet for strawberry production, install subsoil drainage or plant on raised beds. In general, strawberries are tolerant of a wide range of soil types and conditions. The ideal soil for strawberry production is a well-drained, sandy loam with a pH of 6.5–6.8. Drainage and soil pH can be modified on less-than-ideal soils. In acidic, sandy soils or on calcareous soils, certain micronutrients can be deficient, so lime or sulfur may be required to adjust pH levels. Heavy clays should be avoided, but sandy soils are acceptable. Planting and cultivating strawberries are difficult in stony soils, and such soil is hard on equipment.
Nutrient Amendments
We advise taking soil samples to get a read on your pH, percentage of organic matter, and overall fertility to make changes well in advance of planting. If the organic matter level of the soil is historically low, cover crops (plowed in) or compost should be considered. Whether you are on a matted row or plasticulture system, fertilizing prior to planting is an important first step in your strawberry nutrition program. Depending on soil type (light, medium, or heavy) we recommend 50–60 units actual nitrogen per acre with corresponding amounts of phosphorous and potassium, in a slowrelease form. On matted row, this is about half of the total 90–120 units per acre seasonal requirement. For growers on plastic, fertilizer should be worked into the soil, prior to bed shaping. Matted row growers, when fertilizer is incorporated well in the root zone, can begin that process 1–2 weeks prior to planting.
2024–2025 Tradeshow Schedule:
Cover Crops
The many great reasons for growing cover crops include:
1. Improving soil structure. Cover crops add organic matter when they are incorporated into the soil.
2. Adding nitrogen to soil. Through relationships with symbiotic soil bacteria, many cover crops, particularly legumes, can add nitrogen credits to the soil.
3. Suppressing weeds and disease. Cover crops compete with weeds for light, water and nutrients. Hairy vetch as a cover crop has shown to suppress some anthracnose species.
4. Erosion control. Cover crops reduce water and wind erosion on all types of soil.
Choice of a cover crop should be based on what the priorities are for the cover crop benefits. If the goal is to increase nitrogen contribution to the soil, legumes are your best option. If weed control and increasing organic matter is what you want, consider non-legumes.
Weed Control
Managing weeds in strawberries can be a challenge! With these perennial crops, some weeds can become established in fields over time. Many problems can be avoided by good site selection. You should avoid sites with established perennial weeds–pastureland is not a good place to plant strawberries. If you have established perennial plants, get rid of them before planting.
It’s much easier to tackle weeds a full year before planting than to deal with them afterward. Herbicides are limited for use with strawberries, particularly through the establishment year. Effective weed control involves rotation, use of cover crops, and possible herbicide applications at least 30 days before planting. For smaller areas, repeated cultivation or covering the site with a black plastic tarp for several months can be effective. While fumigation can suppress weeds, its use is declining due to environmental concerns, cost, and availability. In certain cases, such as with severe weed pressure or soil issues, fumigation may still be justified. For best results, fumigate the soil when it is warm (above 50˚F), friable, and free of decomposing plant material, ideally in late summer or early fall before planting.
Southeast Strawberry Expo November 12–14, 2024
Great Lakes Fruit & Vegetable Expo December 10–12, 2024
New England Vegetable & Fruit Conference December 17–19, 2024
Mid-Ohio Growers Meeting January 9–10, 2025
Mid-Atlantic Fruit & Vegetable Convention January 28–30, 2025
North American Berry Growers Association + February 3–6, 2025
North American Strawberry Growers Association Conference
Indoor Ag-Con March 11–12, 2025
Potting Plants for Resale
At Nourse Farms, we’ve experienced the benefits of selling potted strawberry, black and red raspberry, and blackberry plants. Offering customers potted plant options, especially around popular holidays such as Mother’s Day, boosts the visual appeal of your merchandise displays and allows you to charge a premium for your products, increasing your profit margins. Potted plants can extend your selling season, as they can continue to grow and be planted throughout the season, even into the fall.
A few things to know before getting started:
• Proper timing and potting techniques are key to maximizing your success. The timing of your planting will depend on your target sales season.
• If you are potting plants early in the season, it is imperative to have a heated greenhouse space available for the plants.
• It is important to choose well-draining media for pots and a display area that allows growing plants to receive adequate sunlight.
Strawberries
Hanging Baskets
• To sell baskets with flowers, pot your strawberry plants about six weeks before your sale date.
• To sell hanging baskets with ripening fruit, plan to set plants 8–10 weeks prior to your sale.
• Day-neutrals are ideal for hanging baskets. Options include Seascape, Evie 2, and Mara des Bois.
• You can fit three plants in a 10” pot, and four plants in a 12” pot.
June-Bearing Nursery Pots
• Don’t allow plants to flower or fruit while in the nursery. Plant them about four weeks before your earliest sale date to give them time to fill out the pots.
• Some popular, easy-to-grow varieties include Earliglow, Sparkle, Jewel, Honeoye, and Allstar.
• A 4” pot is perfect for a single strawberry plant, or an 8” pot for two plants.
Brambles
• Pot your brambles at least eight weeks before the sale date to ensure healthy, green cane growth.
• We recommend using at least an 8” pot for brambles, though a larger pot may be required for bare-root canes.
• Set black raspberry and blackberry plugs about ½” below potting soil surface.
• For red raspberry bare root canes, ensure the roots are no more than 1” below the soil. You may need to coil the roots around the pot to prevent planting too deep.
June Bearer
Allstar, Earliglow, Honeoye, Jewel, Annapolis, Flavorfest, Sparkle, Cavendish, Darselect
Cabot, Galletta*, Dickens*, AC Valley Sunset*, AC Wendy*
Sonata*, Yambu*
Boyne, Caroline, Encore, Heritage, Killarney, Latham, Nova, Polana, Polka,
(except
• Plants shipped after 6/30/2025 are supplied at the customer’s own risk.
• WARRANTY: See our warranty on the order form insert.
• For reseller pricing, email reseller@noursefarms.com or call 413-6652658 option 3.
Strawberry Growers Alert!
Safeguarding Your Crop Amid Neo-P Disease Concerns
The strawberry propagation industry is currently navigating a challenging period due to the outbreak of Neopestalotiopsis (Neo-P), a fungal disease that has recently emerged as a significant concern. We are laser-focused on working together as an industry to understand the challenges ahead and collaboratively take action in the face of this troublesome situation.
Understanding Neo-P: What You Need to Know
Neopestalotiopsis is a fungal pathogen that has gained attention due to its rapid spread in certain regions. It thrives in warm, humid conditions, which are common in strawberry propagation environments, making it particularly challenging to manage. Researchers and extension specialists from institutions like the University of Georgia and NC State have been actively studying the disease, providing valuable insights into its impact and management.
WHAT WE’VE LEARNED SO FAR:
• Neo-P’s spread is facilitated by water, with tropical storms aiding in long-distance movement and human activity contributing significantly to its spread.
• There is no evidence for airborne conidia.
• Neo-P thrives between 60–78°F, with increased severity in prolonged wet conditions.
• The severity of the disease is directly related to the environmental conditions. The fungus spreads rapidly with rainstorms, and the disease is particularly favored by prolonged wetness following rain.
• Under optimum conditions of wetness and temperature, new symptoms are observed as soon as five days. Thus, many cycles of the disease can occur during wet seasons with multiple rain events.
THE GOOD NEWS:
• The strawberry industry is moving swiftly and uniting to understand and combat Neo-P.
• Dr. Marcus V. Marin, University of Florida, is seeking funding for a research proposal titled “Unraveling the Emergence of Aggressive Neopestalotiopsis Lineages on Strawberry.”
• Dr. Natalia Peres, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, is requesting funding from the USDA-AFRI-CARE program on an investigation, Strategic Intervention to Suppress Severity and Spread of Emergent Neopestalotiopsis in Strawberry Production Systems.
• Industry members are actively supporting growers and providing tools to manage the disease.
Neopestalotiopsis crown infection showing characteristic reddening of leaves, wilt, and stunting of new growth.
Photo Credit: Bill Cline
Ongoing Education and Support
Flavorfirst has had boots on the ground, literally, since the news of Neo-P hit. They’re in the fields and proactively speaking to various industry experts to provide us with frequent, helpful updates. We strongly recommend reviewing the information that has been shared to date.
We also recommend that you stay informed about latest developments in disease management. The NC State University Strawberry Breeding Program has conducted extensive trials on various cultivars, and this data can be a valuable resource when making decisions about plant selection and disease resistance.
How We Are Mitigating Risks
Last year, Nourse Farms invested in innovative propagation techniques that mitigate risks while enhancing overall plant quality. We recognize the importance of providing our customers with plants that are not only healthy but also free from the risks associated with diseases like Neo-P. Our stringent quality control processes are designed to ensure our plants are in the best position to meet the highest standards of cleanliness and health. From propagating mother plants from tissue culture to regular testing to developing machine grading equipment, we are dedicated to supporting you, our loyal customers, by providing the best possible plants and the information to succeed. This controlled approach helps reduce the risk of disease, allowing your crops to establish successfully and thrive throughout the growing season.
Rigorous Disease Management: Essential Steps
It’s essential for all strawberry growers to be vigilant and proactive in protecting their crops. We recommend implementing a comprehensive disease management plan that includes regular monitoring and timely application of fungicides. Ensure that your spray equipment is in excellent working condition and that you have the necessary resources to maintain a consistent spray schedule throughout the growing season.
Working Together for Healthy Crops
As the strawberry industry faces the challenges posed by Neo-P, it is more important than ever to work together and share knowledge. By staying informed and taking proactive measures, we can continue to grow healthy, productive strawberry crops.
We are here to support you through this season and beyond. Should you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team by calling 413-665-2658 or emailing info@noursefarms.com. Together, we can ensure that your plants remain healthy and productive, even in the face of new challenges.
Resources
Neopestalotiopsis Disease Management Update: https://specialtycropgrower.com/ neopestalotiopsis-disease-managementupdate/
Flavorfirst Neo-P Updates: https://www.flavorfirst.com/neo-p-updates
NC State University
Flavorfirst
Closeup of shiny black spore masses emerging within the lesion. Photo Credit: Bill Cline
Close-up of Neopestalotiopsis leaf symptoms. Photo Credit: Bill Cline
Raspberry Varieties and Their Performance
We offer a wide range of raspberry varieties—red, black, yellow, and purple — with different ripening times. Below is a summary of growers’ experiences with some of the varieties we sell. It’s always a best practice to trial at your location before planting on a larger scale.
Floricane/Summer-Bearing Red Raspberry
Prelude – Early Season
The earliest floricane variety with excellent vigor and winter hardiness. Produces medium-large, round, cohesive, flavorful berries. Often treated as a floricane, Prelude does produce a good-quality late primocane crop in zone 5 or warmer.
Zones 4–8
Boyne – Early Season
Extremely winter hardy and rugged variety, growing in areas other varieties experience winter injury. Consistently produces deep-red, medium-sized berries with sweet aromatic flavor. A U-Pick favorite for freezing and jams.
Zones 3–7
Killarney – Early Mid-Season
In a similar ripening window as Nova, some growers prefer this variety for its performance, better fruit quality, and flavor in their conditions.
Zones 4–7
Nova – Mid-Season
Nova is dependable for winter hardiness, overall plant vigor, and high productivity. Popular in southern locations for its heat tolerance.
Zones 3–8
Latham – Mid-Season
An heirloom and U-Pick favorite with excellent winter hardiness. Produces medium to large, bright-red berries that are round in shape but can lack cohesion.
Zones 3–8
Encore – Late Mid-Season
While not the most productive of all floricane varieties, the fruit quality is excellent. Plants are vigorous, sturdy, upright, and nearly spineless. With its late ripening, Encore is the best variety to bridge to the primocane/fall bearing season.
Zones 4–7
KILLARNEY
NOVA
ENCORE
Photo: HiBerry Farm
Floricane/Summer Bearing Black & Purple Raspberry
Bristol – Early Season
High producing variety with medium sized glossy fruit with the best black raspberry flavor. Moderately winter hardy but very vigorous; shows tolerance to powdery mildew.
Zones 5–8
Jewel – Mid-Season
Our #1 black raspberry variety, thanks to its yield potential of highquality fruit. Berries are large, glossy-black, with a rich black raspberry flavor.
Zones 5–8
Shekinah Tahi (U.S. Patent Pending) – Mid-Season
The first completely spineless black raspberry variety, Shekinah Tahi simplifies picking and pruning. Similar in ripening season and winterhardiness to Jewel, with larger berry size. Tightly clustered fruit presentation can make earlier pickings more challenging.
Zones 5–8
Mac Black – Late Season
Extends the season for black raspberries, ripening after Jewel. Fruit has good flavor and medium size. This vigorous variety requires trellising and shows some resistance to anthracnose.
Zones 5–8
Royalty Purple – Late Season
A very productive variety that can be picked slightly immature as a red or as a full-flavored purple variety. A popular U-pick thanks to the large berries that are good for fresh eating and are best for jams and jellies. Canes are tall and thorny, requiring a trellis.
Zones 4–8
Primocane/Fall Bearing Red Raspberry
Polana – Early Season
The earliest primocane variety we grow, Polana may fill the gap between summer and fall varieties in some locations. Fruit is medium-large, glossy, cohesive with good flavor. Benefits from increased fertilization, particularly in May and June, for optimum cane height.
Zones 3–8
Mapema®
(U.S. Plant Patent #27,182) – Early Season
This is the earliest ripening variety from Advanced Berry Breeding (ABB), with harvest similar to Polka. Produces over a long season, into October in some areas. Berries are large and firm with very good flavor. In zones 6 or warmer, especially when grown in a high tunnel, produces an excellent floricane crop.
Zones 5–7 See Raspberry Ripening Chart on page 11
BRISTOL
TAHI
MAC BLACK POLANA
Polka (Licensed variety) – Early Mid-Season
Similar in ripening to Joan J, Polka has large, very firm berries that do not darken like some other primocane varieties. The plant is vigorous with a more upright growing habit than other varieties.
Recommended for new raspberry growers.
Zones 4–8
Joan J (U.S. Plant Patent #18,954) – Early Mid-Season
Joan J is a very high yielding, thornless variety which primocane crop ripens a week after Polka. Its large fruit has a dark color when fully ripe and can darken further after picking. In Massachusetts, Joan J survives through the winter to generate a floricane crop. This variety is an excellent choice for high tunnel production.
Zones 4–8
Imara® (U.S. Plant Patent #23,916) – Early Mid-Season
An extremely productive primocane variety from ABB that begins production shortly after Mapema®. Berries are medium-large, bright red, with a very good flavor, and release easily when ripe.
Zones 5–7
Himbo-Top® (U.S. Plant Patent #19,512) – Mid-Season
A vigorous mid-season primocane with good winter hardiness and good tolerance to Phytophthora root rot. Its very large berries with a lighter color do not dark after picking. Given its vigor, this variety is a good option for organic production but should be thinned and trellised for best results.
Zones 4–8
Caroline – Mid-Season
With its plant vigor and high-quality fruit, Caroline is a great choice for new raspberry growers looking for a mid-season primocane variety. Note this variety does not tolerate high heat and drought conditions.
Zones 4–7
Kweli® (U.S. Plant Patent #23,915) – Late Mid-Season
A mid-season primocane variety from ABB with very high yields of large, bright fruit with excellent flavor and shelf life. An excellent choice for shipping as well as local sales.
Zones 6–8
Heritage – Late Mid-Season
A popular U-pick variety considered the standard for production and high-quality fruit. Produces fruit good for jam, freezing, and fresh use. Early frost may impact productivity in more northern areas.
Zones 4–8
JOAN
Primocane/Fall Bearing Black & Yellow Raspberry
Niwot Black Raspberry (U.S. Plant Patent #27,131)
–Early Season
A very productive primocane with attractive, shiny fruit and a less intense raspberry flavor. This variety is vigorous, requiring trellising with 3–4 feet of spacing within the row. In addition to the fall crop, Niwot can also produce an excellent floricane crop, ripening slightly earlier than Jewel Black, depending upon the location. Growers are advised to allow plants to establish for 2–3 years before double cropping.
Zones 5–8.
Anne Yellow Raspberry – Mid-Season
A large-fruited, highly productive fall-bearing variety that may also produce a spring crop on overwintered canes. Ripens slightly earlier than Heritage, with excellent size, appearance, and sweet flavor.
Zones 4–7
Double Gold Raspberry (U.S. Plant Patent #24,811) –
Mid-Season
The deep blush, golden champagne color berries are medium in size and have a conic shape with an excellent, sweet flavor. The plant grows vigorously, suckers freely, and shows tolerance to diseases. Double Gold can be grown as both a floricane (summer) and primocane (fall) producer. Double Gold is more suited for U-pick and local commercial sales.
Zones 4–7
RASPBERRIES: ESTIMATED HARVEST DATES - Zone 5, WHATELY, MA
NIWOT
ANNE
DOUBLE GOLD
Crop
Harvesting Rainwater
Water is crucial for plant production here at Nourse Farms. committed to the careful and responsible stewardship resource and have invested in systems to collect rainwater from our greenhouse roof and store it in silos and an irrigation pond. We also use advanced irrigation technology, such as watering booms, to irrigate our crops in a more consistent and efficient manner, ensuring water reaches
Why rainwater?
Rainwater is the
Did you know?
An inch of rain can yield 30,000 gallons of water. Harvesting rainwater can reduce the strain on our local municipal supply as well as our carbon footprint treatment of the city water supply.
