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.

There are 8 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction
   • Review of the system of plant identification
   • General characteristics of the berries
   • Information contacts (ie: nurseries, seed, clubs etc.)
2. Which Varieties to Grow
3. Lesser Grown Varieties of Berry Plants
4. Culture
   • Planting
   • staking
   • mulching
   • watering
   • pest & disease
   • feeding
   • pruning
   • protection from wind, salt, air, etc.
5. Propagation
   • Methods of propagating berries
   • Propagation of selected varieties
6. Weed Control & Irrigation
7. Harvesting & Marketing Berries
8. 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.

• 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.

• 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.