This course will provide home gardeners and small farmers with information needed to prune blueberry plants from establishment through maturity. Discussion of the types of blueberries grown and adaptation throughout North America will ensure students throughout the USA and Canada use appropriate techniques for their region.
This module includes pruning methods and time of pruning for northern highbush cultivars grown in colder regions and temperate areas, southern highbush cultivars grown in areas with warm summers, and rabbiteye cultivars.
The impact of pruning on yield and quality is presented and discussed. Pruning young plants during the establishment years, producing fruit but also ensuring good bush development, as well as pruning mature plants for sustainable production are critical to success.
In this course, narrated lectures with photos and videos will address the learning outcomes, including an understanding of:
Although there are lessons that may apply more broadly, this course is intended primarily for a North American audience. It will be especially relevant for home gardeners and small farmers.
In this self-paced online blueberry course, you will navigate 2.5 hours of video in several lectures.
You will have access to the course and the materials for one year after you enroll.
Dr. Strik has over 30 years of experience in research, teaching, and educational programs for commercial growers and home gardeners at OSU. Her research areas of focus include whole plant physiology, improving yield and quality, machine harvest efficiency, pruning, optimization of production systems, plant nutrition, and organic production systems in all berry crops. Bernadine belongs to many professional organizations and holds or has held many leadership positions. She has published over 200 scientific papers and many Extension materials and book chapters on berry crop production and physiology. Her educational and research programs are world renowned and she has received many awards for her achievements. Bernadine was elected a Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science, their highest honor, in 2007 and in 2014 she received the OSU Alumni Association Distinguished Professor Award.