HOR 251 Growing Fruit in the Willamette Valley

Lecture Hours: 2
Lab Hours: 2
Credits: 3

Introduces important fruit crop production in the Willamette Valley for both commercial and personal use. Presents management systems and cultural practices for fruit crops, including raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, grapes, strawberries, hazelnuts, apples, pears, and stone fruits. Covers pruning and training principles for each fruit crop, as well as nutritional requirements, fertilization practices, and pest identification and management.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Characterize fruit crop production in the Willamette Valley.
Describe growth and fruiting cycles of significant fruit crops.
Discuss important cultural requirements for each of the fruit crops.
Explain pruning and training requirements for each of the fruit crops.
Identify and describe key pests of each of the fruit crops.
Develop a five-year production plan for two significant fruit crops.

Content Outline

Introduction to Fruit Production in the Willamette Valley
- Fruit crops grown in the Willamette Valley
  - Small fruits
  - Tree fruits and nuts
  - Minor fruit crops of merit
- Major production areas and climate and soil restrictions
- Site selection considerations
- Fruit growth and development
- Pollination
- Post harvest handling and storage
Soil and Fertility Management
- Cultivation
- Fertilization
- Cover crops
- Use of organic matter
- Crop rotation
- Mulching
Small Fruit Crops
- Caneberries and raspberries
  - Site selection and preparation
  - Cultivar selection
  - Growth and fruiting cycle
  - Planting systems
    - Caneberries
    - Raspberries
  - Pruning and training
  - Water management, drainage, and irrigation
  - Pest management
- Blueberries
  - Site selection and preparation
    - pH adjustment
  - Cultivar selection
  - Growth and fruiting cycle
  - Planting systems
  - Pruning and training
  - Care of established plants
    - Mulching
    - Water management, drainage and irrigation
  - Pest management
- Grapes
  - Site selection and preparation
  - Cultivar selection
  - Growth and fruiting cycle
  - Planting systems
    - Trellising
  - Pruning and training
    - Cane
    - Spur
    - Head
  - Water management, drainage, and irrigation
  - Pest management
- Strawberries
  - Site selection and preparation
  - Cultivar selection
  - Growth and fruiting cycle
    - June bearers
    - Everbearers
    - Day-neutrals
  - Planting systems
    - Matted rows
    - Hill
  - Water management, drainage, and irrigation
  - Pest management
- Minor small fruits
  - Currants and gooseberries
  - Kiwis
Tree Fruits and Nuts
- Hazelnuts
  - Site selection and preparation
  - Planting stock
    - Cultivar selection
    - Rootstock
  - Growth and fruiting cycle
  - Orchard design
  - Pruning and training
  - Water management, drainage, and irrigation
  - Pest management
  - Post harvest handling and drying
- Apples and pears
  - Site selection and preparation
  - Planting stock
    - Cultivar selection
    - Rootstock
  - Growth and fruiting cycle
  - Orchard design
  - Pruning and training
  - Water management, drainage, and irrigation
  - Pest management
- Peaches, plums, cherries
  - Site selection and preparation
  - Planting stock
    - Cultivar selection
    - Rootstock
  - Growth and fruiting cycle
  - Orchard design
  - Pruning and training
  - Water management, drainage, and irrigation
  - Pest management
- Minor tree fruits and nuts
  - Walnuts
  - Chestnuts
Cultural Requirement in Fruit Crops