Berry Production

DESCRIPTION

Become a Berry Fruit Expert

Berry fruits are popular the world over. Some berries are grown widely, in different climates and countries (eg. strawberries), whilst others might be popular in some regions but not others.

This course provides a sound broad based training for commercial growers and/or staff of berry farms. It is equally relevant to the enthusiast hobby grower who wants to get more serious about growing berry fruits.

LESSON STRUCTURE

There are eight lessons in this course:

1. Introduction
2. Review of the system of plant identification
3. General characteristics of the berries
4. Information contacts (eg: nurseries, seed, clubs )
5. Which Varieties to Grow
6. Lesser Grown Varieties of Berry Plants
7. Culture
8. Planting
9. staking
10. mulching
11. watering
12. pest & disease
13. feeding
14. pruning
15. protection from wind, salt, air
16. Propagation
17. Methods of propagating berries
18. Propagation of selected varieties
19. Weed Control and Irrigation
20. Harvesting and Marketing Berries
21. Commercial Berry Growing

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

AIMS

Differentiate between different types of berry fruit cultivars.

Determine varieties of berry fruit suitable for growing in a specified locality.

Explain the cultural treatment for a range of berry fruits, in specified situations.

Determine how to propagate a range of different berry plants.

Explain the harvesting of different berry crops.

Develop strategies for commercial success in a berry fruit enterprise.

What You Will Do 

Distinguish between common and botanical definitions for the term berry.

Compare the botanical characteristics of berry fruits from four different taxonomic families.

Prepare a collection of twenty-five plant reviews of different berry varieties,including the following details on each plant:

Plant names (Common and scientific)

A photo, illustration or pressed specimen

Cultural details

Harvest and post harvest

Uses (eg. valuable products)

Develop criteria for the selection of suitable berry fruit varieties.

Evaluate the performance of four different berry varieties.

Determine appropriate varieties of different berries to grow in a specified locality, considering a range of types, including: Strawberries, Brambles, other berries

Describe an appropriate planting method for each of three specified genera of berry fruits.

DELIVERY

Correspondence