Spring 2023 - 12

FROST CONTROL
EATURE
Berry
boom
Washington organic grower
shifts focus to blueberries
BY DOUG OHLEMEIER
ASSISTANT EDITOR
O
rganics are central for a Washington
tree fruit grower which successfully
transitioned to blueberries.
All of the blueberries grown by Applegate Orchards/
Blue Mountain Farms, in Burbank, Washington, in
eastern Washington, are certified organic.
Applegate usually begins harvesting Northern
Highbush blueberries in mid-June with production
generally finishing in September. Though it harvests
many varieties for fresh, processing and juice
companies, the focus is for fresh blueberries being
marketed through Naturipe Farms.
Because organic growers are restricted on applying
only crop protectants certified for organic production,
most of Applegate's weeds are hand pulled, said
Shirley Mason, owner. It sprays only with organic
burndown, using an organic herbicide which burns
plant tops but doesn't travel to the roots, requiring
hand pulling of some of the weeds surrounding the
plants. Applegate lays weed mats in all its rows.
The mats are effective in controlling weeds, though
occasional spraying around the weed mat edges
remains necessary.
Some berries can't handle recent years of extreme
heat. During the summer of 2022, the region
experienced 60 consecutive days of 100° average
temperatures. Fewer cool nights and less chilling
hours stress plants, requiring fruit cooling via misters.
With fertilizer costs almost doubling in recent
times, Applegate closely watches expenses and how
it applies the product, using smaller amounts and
working smarter, Mason said.
12 SPRING 2023

Spring 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Spring 2023

Table of Contents
Editor's Letter
Feature: High-altitude Pears
Cover Story: In-depth Data
Feature: Berry Boom
Special Section: The Survey Shows ...
Feature: Nitrogen Needs
Feature: Setting Ground Rules
Company Spotlight
Industry News: Connection Coordinator
Ad Index & Events
Spring 2023 - 1
Spring 2023 - 2
Spring 2023 - Table of Contents
Spring 2023 - Editor's Letter
Spring 2023 - 5
Spring 2023 - Feature: High-altitude Pears
Spring 2023 - 7
Spring 2023 - Cover Story: In-depth Data
Spring 2023 - 9
Spring 2023 - 10
Spring 2023 - 11
Spring 2023 - Feature: Berry Boom
Spring 2023 - 13
Spring 2023 - 14
Spring 2023 - 15
Spring 2023 - Special Section: The Survey Shows ...
Spring 2023 - 17
Spring 2023 - Feature: Nitrogen Needs
Spring 2023 - 19
Spring 2023 - 20
Spring 2023 - 21
Spring 2023 - Feature: Setting Ground Rules
Spring 2023 - 23
Spring 2023 - Company Spotlight
Spring 2023 - 25
Spring 2023 - Industry News: Connection Coordinator
Spring 2023 - Ad Index & Events
Spring 2023 - 28
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/Organic-Grower/spring-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/Organic-Grower/winter-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/Organic-Grower/fall-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/Organic-Grower/summer-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/Organic-Grower/march-april-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/Organic-Grower/january-february-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/Organic-Grower/november-december-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/Organic-Grower/september-october-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/Organic-Grower/july-august-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/Organic-Grower/may-june-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/Organic-Grower/march-april-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/Organic-Grower/fall-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/Organic-Grower/summer-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/Organic-Grower/spring-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/Organic-Grower/winter-2020
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