18 September 2024
Perfect in the summer as a refreshing snack, but also highly popular in the winter to garnish desserts and dishes, both holiday-themed and beyond. Berries are among the most beloved by both adults and children, making them some of the most sought-after and appreciated in the market. This is also thanks to their beneficial properties: rich in vitamin C, fiber, minerals, and antioxidants, red fruits are often considered "superfoods".
This is why starting a berry cultivation, including blueberries and raspberries, can be particularly interesting and profitable. Another reason is their special characteristic: they are easy to grow, and the care they require is simple and low-maintenance. Of course, for a larger-scale production, specific techniques and machinery are needed, especially for preparing the soil during planting and transplanting.
What types of fruits are blueberries and raspberries?
Like other berries — known to the general public for their incredible variety, beneficial properties, and vibrant colors — they are a type of fruit that grows naturally in undergrowth areas and hilly regions.
Blueberries and raspberries are among the most well-known varieties, often found together in mixed berry assortments. Then there are blackberries, currants, wild strawberries, and gooseberries. As previously noted, thanks to their flavor and variety, and especially to the nutritional properties that have made them a staple in our diets, their demand has recently skyrocketed. Consequently, their cultivation has also increased in Italy, Europe, and worldwide.
Upon close inspection, you’ll notice how several secondary branches extend from the main branches. On the main branch, up to 5 kg of berries can be harvested for blueberries and 1 kg of fruit for raspberries. These will ripen in rotation during the months of June and July; by September, the secondary branches will begin to produce, which will become the main ones in the following year. After the main branch completes its growth, it dies and should be pruned to promote plant regeneration.
Blueberries, however, require patience due to their slow growth; therefore, rooting must begin at the end of summer to ensure spring blooming.
As stated in the cultivation manual of fruttidibosco.eu, 'the lifespan of all small fruit plants is perennial and can only be limited by serious technical errors in cultivation, soils that are too heavy or too calcareous, waterlogged soils, or extreme droughts. However, the aging of the plants always leads to a reduction in fruit size,' which is why their economic lifespan is shorter than the plant’s actual life.
In any case, the raspberry plant can last up to 10 years if grown in loose, well-drained soils.
Under the name “berries,” there are various plants that, from a botanical perspective, are quite different. For this reason, they adapt to very different environments in terms of temperature, altitude, and exposure.
They can be planted both in open fields and in greenhouses, on light, well-aerated soil for the plants, while strawberries, for example, grow best in medium-textured soil, even slightly sandy. It’s important that the soil is well-worked and soft inside the ridges to facilitate root growth. It is advisable to avoid overly exposed areas to wind or direct sunlight, and to plan for protection in case the winter season is very harsh. Berry plants thrive best in partial shade, which mimics the “natural” environment of the undergrowth.
Raspberries, in particular, are the most sensitive plants and therefore require shading nets for protection.
As for the planting season, it depends on the country where they are being cultivated; generally, strawberries are planted from February to August, blueberries from September to May, blackberries from May to October, and raspberries in spring and fall.
To ensure that the plants grow healthy and produce fruit over the long term, thereby creating an economically profitable operation, it is essential to carefully prepare the soil for planting and transplanting. As mentioned, blueberries, and especially raspberries, are sensitive plants that require specific and well-treated soil, both in terms of composition and irrigation, as well as preparation.
Cosmeco offers various solutions for soil preparation prior to planting and transplanting, including the processes of ridging and mulching. These are machines designed and manufactured by the company as part of its research & development efforts and ongoing innovation in providing solutions for modern agriculture, with a focus on sustainable systems.
As for bedformers, in particular, various solutions are available depending on the type of cultivation:
They are designed to create compact beds or seedbeds that promote plant development, restore soil porosity, and encourage the circulation of air and water, which is crucial for the delicate berry plants. Using bed formers allows for the thorough breaking up and compacting of the soil within the bed, ensuring optimal germination and growth for all types of crops.
Cosmeco’s plastic mulch layers are cutting-edge equipment, highly effective in covering cultivated soil quickly and precisely. They can also be used in organic farming and allow for the soil to be covered with the most modern sheets and films. This is the ideal solution for modern agriculture that prioritizes sustainability in its processes, while maintaining efficiency and productivity.
If you need more information about plastic mulch layers, bedformers, and all the machinery offered by Cosmeco for soil preparation in the cultivation of raspberries, blueberries, and other berries, please contact us by filling out the form in the contact section. We will respond as soon as possible!
Need more information about one of our products or need a tailor-made quote?
Don't hesitate to contact us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.