Planting Aronia Berries on Highly Erodible Land to Add a New Enterprise

Planting Aronia Berries on Highly Erodible Land to Add a New Enterprise

Summary

WORK ACTIVITIES
This project is taking place on highly erodible land that was used for grass hay production for the past 20 years. Aronia berries were planted due to their drought resistance and lack of pests and diseases. A six-foot wide strip of grass was killed out to provide a planting and growing zone for the berry plants free of competition from other plants. The rows are 15 feet apart and the plants are spaced 30 inches apart. Bare root plants were planted during the last week of April 2007. The potted plants were planted the last week in May through mid July. Alfalfa and grass hay bales were used to mulch the rows.

I used an old honey wagon to haul and apply water to the plants from planting through the end of July. From the first of August through October we received adequate rainfall and did not need to water the plants. The National Weather Service reported June and July of 2007 were the driest June and July on record for this area, but not the hottest.

RESULTS
The strip of grass that was killed out in the spring for planting, had regrown by late fall except for the area that had been mulched. The mulch performed well in controlling the regrowth of grass and weeds and conserving moisture. I estimate that the mulch gave me four days between watering and two days on the unmulched area. In some areas deer were eating and uprooting the plants. This was happening in areas where alfalfa bales had been used for mulch and very little where grass hay had been used. I will use only grass hay for mulch on future plantings.

Using the honey wagon to water the plants caused problems I had not expected. Due to the slope of the land the water was always running down hill. The top portion of the hill received less water; this required multiple passes to be made, which caused soil compaction and water erosion. Drip irrigation will be used in 2008.

WORK PLAN FOR 2008
In 2008 I will re plant all missing and dead plants, mow the grass as needed, install drip irrigation, monitor and record plant growth, and select an organic certifier.

OUTREACH
Information was shared through an article in the local newspaper, with the help of Jim Peterson who was the Washington County Extension Educator. Several people have contacted me about getting started to grow Aronia Berries after reading the article. These people will be contacted and invited to observe planting in 2008.

My project was discussed in detail at the August meeting of the Washington County Alternative Growers Group. We decided more could be learned after one year of growth and to view the field in the fall of 2008. I am also planning to give a presentation during the 2008 National Small Farm Trade Show & Conference in Columbia, MO.