Skip to main content. Foraging for Saskatoon Berries One of the things I love most about the South Okanagan is the abundance of food available in the growing season. Author Bio: Full time mother, gardener, chicken farmer, local food lover, world traveler, and proprietor of this website, Amy is passionate about the South Okanagan. She is happiest spending time with her family, participating in intentional community, growing and preserving her own food, observing her chickens it's free therapy!
View the full image. Blog topics:. As the saskatoon industry is still very young the long term economic feasibility of saskatoon production has yet to be determined.
As the crop is still in the early stages of domestication specific crop management recommendations have yet to be finalized. There are still a number of production problems ex, insects, diseases, etc.
The saskatoon can be propagated via seed, suckers, various types of cuttings root, softwood, hardwood, etiolated shoots , crown division and micropropagation same as tissue culture.
All clonal propagation methods essentially all methods listed except seed produce plant material which is identical to parent stock. Given the potential for seedling variability whether purchasing seedlings or planting seed make sure that the seed used is F1 first generation.
Seedlings resulting from later generations will be even less similar to parental stock. Where uniformity in time of ripening ex, for mechanical harvesting or fruit quality ex, for processing becomes important seedling populations may be less desirable due to genetic variability than clonal stock.
Present plant cost varies widely depending on quantity ordered and method of propagation. Buyer beware! There are a number of suppliers offering product at a wide range of prices. Other cultivars worthy of consideration are "Martin", "Thiessen", "Honeywood" and "Northline" which have performed well in Saskatchewan and Alberta respectively. There are a number of other cultivars available which have yet to be evaluated locally. At present, there is insufficient research data on which to base a local cultivar recommendation.
Consequently more than one cultivar should be planted and probably three or more should be considered. Fertilization of a saskatoon orchard is at present an inexact operation as further research is required for specific recommendations. Site selection is important and a well drained, loam soil with adequate levels of fertilizer should provide a good starting point for the orchard.
Proper soil testing of the site is advisable and required fertilization should occur prior to planting. However, supplementary fertilization may be required if nutrient deficiencies occur or if site selection is less than ideal.
As with any crop a soil test will determine the current level of nutrients present and a recommendation for fruit crops can be obtained from the soil testing lab. Weed control in an orchard is essential. If weeds are not controlled during the early stages of orchard establishment then the future viability of the orchard is effected.
Proper site selection and preparation are therefore essential to eliminate as many possible weed problems before the orchard is established. Chemical weed control prior to transplanting should be carried out as well as maintenance after establishment.
Saskatoons are subject to attacks from many different insects. Insects are not a problem until threshold levels are reached. It is important for growers to monitor for insects and spray only when the insects are present in sufficient numbers to cause economic losses. The following lists common insects found in saskatoons. Damage from diseases to the plant and fruit are a significant limiting factor in the production of saskatoons.
The limited availability of fungicides for use on saskatoons makes disease control difficult. Often cultural control methods such as pruning, increased air flow, and increased plant vigour are the only methods available to the grower. Antioxidant rich fruits reportedly have anti-cancer, anti-aging, and anti-heart disease effects on human body, reducing cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases, and acting as a protective guard to our immune systems.
The ORAC oxygen radical absorbance capacity value is one of the methods used to measure the total antioxidant activity in fruit. In the tables below the ORAC values show saskatoon berries are naturally high in antioxidants and rank highest in both fresh fruit and in fruit pulp relative to other common fruits.
Research evidence shows that antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables may help reduce the risk of cancers. Ozga, J. Anthocyanins and nutrient components of saskatoon fruits Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt.
Plant Sci. Nothlings, S. Murphy, L. Wilkens, B. Henderson and L. American Journal of Epidemiology; V ,8: Studies also showed that there are potential anticarcinogenic activity of anthocyanins in fruits and fruit products, and anthocyanins may possess multifaceted actions including antioxidation and anticarinigenesis, and may have inhibitory effects on colon carcinogenesis.
Hu, B. Kwok, D. D Kitts. Saskatoon berries Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt. Food Research international Saskatoons are delightful right off the bush. Historically they were used in pemmican and as a medicine for quite a variety of illnesses. Today saskatoons are commonly used in pies, tarts, scones, muffins, bread, coffee cake, jams, compote, sauces, salad dressing, trail mix and other snack foods. They can also be used in wine, cider and a variety of liquors.
The picture, below shows saskatoons on the top and bottom layers of a classic English Trifle. Saskatoons can be consumed fresh, or preserved in frozen, dried, or canned form.
Whether you are a backyard hobbyist or a professional farm, or anything in between, you can purchase plants. See our Directory for Nursery contact information. Young plants are generally planted with feet between rows and 3 feet between plants the latter for mechanical harvesting. Roots need at least 24 inches of depth. The bushes are shade tolerant, though yields may increase with greater sunlight.
Recommended planting density is per Acre per acre for mechanical harvesting. These hardy bushes can bear fruit for 30 years or more. Some varieties bear fruit for up to 70 years. Saskatoons can be planted in the fall to promote root growth or in the spring to avoid winter weather.
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