Learn how to produce excellent berries! For the enthusiast or commercial grower, covering all aspects of the care & cultivation of common, and uncommon, berry fruit; with the opportunity to specialise to some degree in one type of berry.

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.

Course Structure for Berry Production BHT309

Aims of Berry Production BHT309

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.

• 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 be doing during Berry Production BHT309

• 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
• Illustrate an appropriate pruning methods for each of four different genera of berry fruits, using sequences of drawings, photographs, or video
• Determine appropriate irrigation practices for two different, specified berry plantings
• Develop feeding programs for a twelve month period, for three different berry crops suited to growing in a particular locality
• Conduct simple soil tests to determine soil characteristics relevant to a proposed berry planting. Soil tests should include:
  • Soil type
  • Water holding capacity
  • pH
  • Drainage
• Recommend appropriate soil preparation for the tested soil, prior to planting a specified berry crop.
• Compare four different weed control practices appropriate for specified berry crops
• Develop soil maintenance programs for a twelve month period, on a monthly basis, for different berry crops.
• Identify different health disorders (e.g. pests and diseases) on berry plants.
• Develop a pest and disease control program for a twelve month period, for a specified berry crop.
• Describe different methods for propagating specified berry plants, including:
  • Cuttings
  • Runners
  • Division
  • Layering
• Demonstrate cutting propagation of two different berry species
• Produce marketable berry plants representing different genera, either as bare rooted or container plants
• Compare the commercial viability of propagating one specified berry by two alternative propagation techniques
• Explain how to determine when different types of berries are ready for harvest
• Describe different methods for harvesting five different types of berries, including:
  • Manual
  • Mechanical
• Explain the harvesting of five types of berries before they are ripe, and ripening of the berries off the plant
• Determine appropriate post-harvest treatments for a specified commercial berry crop
• Develop a resource file of different items of information relevant to the berry fruit industry, including:
  • Suppliers of berry plants
  • Trade or grower associations
  • Publications
• Determine criteria which are significant in the commercial success of a specific berry farm, which you either visit in real life or investigate on the internet
• Explain how a range of five different berries are prepared for the market
• Prepare a chart of ten different berry species that lists their shelf life
• Evaluate the commercial viability of three different methods of packaging and presenting berries for sale
• Compare common marketing strategies for berry fruits, including:
  • Selling at wholesale markets
  • Selling on contract to chain stores
  • Selling to processors
  • Roadside stalls
  • U-pick selling

Price and Enrolment

Enrol today and learn all you need to know about Berry Production for commercial and hobby purposes

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For any Questions or to Enrol please call 01227 789 649