Nourse Farms Spring 2025 Commercial Growers Newsletter
As spring unfolds across the country, we’re reminded of the resilience and opportunity that each new season brings. At Nourse Farms, we know this is one of the busiest—and most critical— times of year for your operations. Whether you’re planting new acres or preparing for harvest, we’re proud to be your partner in producing high-quality berry crops.
Across the berry industry, we continue to see strong consumer demand, particularly for strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. With more shoppers prioritizing fresh, local, and healthy food, berries remain a top-performing category in produce departments. This demand is driving innovation in production practices, season extension, and variety selection.
At the same time, we understand the challenges you face; unpredictable weather, rising input costs, and labor availability remain top concerns. That’s why we continue to invest in providing top-performing varieties, healthy nursery stock, and reliable support to help maximize your success in the field. And it’s why we’re especially excited about the momentum behind our expanded plug plant program.
With a focus on clean plants and indoor growing environments, we’re delivering even higher-quality starter material for your fields. This investment enhances plant health, supports earlier establishment, and provides greater flexibility in your production systems. It’s just one of the many ways we’re working to align with your evolving needs and long-term success.
As you prepare for your spring plantings, know that our team is here to help— from answering questions about variety selection to offering technical guidance tailored to your operation. Whether you’re expanding acreage or trialing something new, we’re honored to be your propagation partner.
We’re looking forward to a productive season and are excited to see what you’ll accomplish in the months ahead.
Let’s keep growing... together,
John Place, CEO
RemarkablyRewarding
Rhubarb
Rhubarb is popular with consumers for baking because of its tart stalks, but it has several additional uses. It is great for pie fillings, crisps, sauces, juice, or wine. Rhubarb will preserve and freeze easily, so it can be enjoyed far past the fresh rhubarb season. Scientists and health professionals have recently begun looking into various health benefits of rhubarb for medical use, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic properties and gastrointestinal function regulation.
Prices averaging in the $4–$5 per pound range make rhubarb a profitable companion crop with strawberries and asparagus.
Culture
• Well-drained soil, high in organic matter, is ideal.
• Soil pH of 6.0 – 6.8.
• Spacing of three feet (3’)within row; five to six feet (5–6’) between rows.
• Rhubarb benefits from annual applications of Nitrogen up to 150 pounds per acre. Applications are split into three (3) side dressings: before growth starts in spring, after growth starts and after harvest.
• Suited for zones 4 – 7.
Harvest
Allow rhubarb to establish for 3 years prior to harvest, developing 2-foot diameter crowns. We recommend leaving 25 – 30% for healthy regrowth. A good rule of thumb is to end harvest when new stalks emerge thin or spindly.
The only edible portion of rhubarb is the stalks. Leaves are poisonous and should be removed at harvest and discarded.
Pests and Diseases
Rhubarb is not immune to pests and disease. Slugs, leafhoppers and Rhubarb Curculio need to be controlled early. Leaf spots, Ramularia and Ascochyta are also preventable with early intervention. The prevalence of Phytophthora justifies preventative control in fall and spring, particularly on heavier soils. Contact Nourse Farms or your local cooperative extension of recommended materials.
Rhubarb Varieties
MacDonald Strain
We selected MacDonald Strain rhubarb for its excellent production. This very vigorous, upright-growing strain produces large, tender stalks and has an acceptable red color. Shows resistance to rootrot problems.
Cawood Delight
Although Cawood Delight isn’t as vigorous as MacDonald, it stands out with its deeper red color making it an attractive and marketable option. Its stout growth habit thrives in northern regions, though it may struggle in areas with prolonged periods of high heat.
Rhubarb & Ribes: Profitable & Hardy Crops for Growers
Ribes: Currants & Gooseberries
With rising consumer interest in healthy, locally sourced foods, gooseberries and currants are gaining popularity as potential new fruit crops. Both fruits are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, making them highly valued for their nutritional benefits and versatility. In North America, currants are often used for making tangy jellies, relishes, and juices, while gooseberries are a common ingredient in jams, jellies, pastries, and compotes. Some gooseberries, when ripened on the bush, become so sweet that they can be enjoyed fresh, right off the plant.
At Nourse Farms, we not only sell the currants and gooseberries to specialty stores but also through our retail stand. Prices average $5.75 per half pint.
Culture
• Sunny location but avoid southern exposure and southern-facing slopes since intense sun may injure plants.
• Spacing of three to four feet (3–4’) in rows, six to eight feet (6–8’) between rows.
• Suited for zones 3–7.
• The currant and gooseberry varieties carried by Nourse Farms have been bred for tolerance to White Pine Blister Rust disease. Check with local cooperative extension office or Department of Agriculture for any restrictions on growing Ribes in your area.
Currant Varieties
This is the tastiest currant on the market for fresh eating! Pink Champagne is a vigorous, upright bush, free of leaf diseases, with a beautiful translucent pink fruit. Easy to grow, Pink Champagne produces fruit of high quality and good flavor.
Jonkheer van Tets
This early red currant variety is known for its highly rated flavor and fruit size. Jonkheer van Tets will outperform other early varieties. Being early, it may be susceptible to late frosts, so site selection is important. In Massachusetts, it matures in early July. Special pruning may also be necessary. The erect bush is easy to pick and has mildew resistance.
Rovada
Rovada is a red currant with very large fruit on extremely long strigs, producing a heavy crop that is easy to pick. The plant is very free of mildew and other leaf diseases. Its late flowering escapes frost. Rovada’s dependable nature makes it the #1 red currant around the world!
Pink Champagne
&Rhubarb Ribes
continued
Gooseberry Varieties
Hinnomaki Red
Hinnomaki Red is a variety with superb flavor, high yields, and a beautiful red fruit color. The outer skin is tangy while the flesh is sweet. The plants grow upright and are mildew resistant. These very productive plants are adaptable to various growing systems, hedge or ornamental. The sweet berries can be eaten fresh or baked in a pie.
Invicta
Destined to become the standard for green gooseberries, Invicta has the highest yields of large, highquality fruit of any gooseberry variety and is resistant to mildew and late spring frosts. The bush is vigorous and spreading. We advise trellising this variety because of its spines. Regular dormant season pruning will encourage the best production.
Tixia®* (Variety - Rafzicta)
Canadian Plant Breeders Rights Certification #3348
Tixia®, introduced in our 2005 catalog, produces large, beautiful, bright-red fruit similar in size to Invicta. In addition to its attractive fruit, it is distinguished by its semithornless shoots and upright growth habit. Its growth is medium to strong.
We have an excellent supply of rhubarb divisions and ribes plug plants available for spring planting! Place your order at NourseFarms.com or call us at 1-877-NFBERRY
We’re In ThisTogether
We’re Here to Help—And to Connect You with the Best Resources!
At Nourse Farms, we take pride in providing expert guidance and top-quality service to our customers, and we understand the challenges that come with growing berries. Whether you’re looking for the best varieties, troubleshooting issues, or optimizing your production, we’re always here to assist.
However, we also recognize that some questions require specialized expertise. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of trusted industry resources to help keep you informed on best practices, pest management, market trends, and more.
Our goal is to ensure you have access to the best information available—whether it comes from us or from leading experts in the field. Keep reading for useful resources!
Berry Diagnostic Tool
Cornell University
blogs.cornell.edu/berrytool/
Helps diagnose issues in strawberry, blueberry, and raspberry plants and berries.
Blackberry Diagnostic Tool
NC State University
berries.cals.ncsu.edu/blackberry-diagnostic-tool/ Helps diagnose issues in blackberry plants and berries.
NE Small Fruit Management Guide
UMass Extension Fruit Program
ag.umass.edu/fruit/ne-small-fruit-management-guide Provides general information about berry crop production, including soil fertility and nutrients, soil management, cover crops, organic production, water management, produce safety, post-harvest handling, and much more.
Berry Soil and Nutrient Management –A Guide for Educators and Growers
Cornell University
blogs.cornell.edu/berries/productions/berry-soil-andnutrient-management-a-guide-for-educators-and-growers Designed as comprehensive resource, a “onestop-shop,” for commercial berry growers interested in improving berry crop soil and nutrient management and the ag educators advising them.
Pictured above is Nourse Farms CEO John Place (far left) answering growers’ questions during the 2024 NASGA Summer Tour.
Organic & Products Practices
Conventional growers have several incentives for using organic products and cultural practices:
• The number and quality of products have increased substantially over the last few years.
• Pests can build resistance to traditional pesticides over time, making organic alternatives valuable so that growers have more options available to them.
• Consumer demand leans toward fewer chemicals used on produce purchased. According to a 2022 report, global sales of organic food have increased over 100 billion U.S. dollars since 2000.
Before diving into organic products, we want to highlight two key factors for your success: site selection and preparation.
An ideal site should have:
• close proximity to your market(s);
• sufficient acreage to allow for crop rotation;
• available water of acceptable quality for irrigation and frost protection;
• well-drained soil; and
• good air movement and drainage.
Our Fall 2024 Newsletter offers an indepth article on site selection—well worth a read!
Cover crops should also be considered as growers look to site preparation. Here at Nourse Farms, we regularly use sorghum sudan grass
as a cover crop. Cover crops improve soil health by enhancing organic matter, breaking up compaction, suppressing weeds, and providing nutrients. In small fruit production, they are especially valuable before planting, helping to control erosion, manage nematodes, and create optimal growing conditions.
On pages 7–9, we have outlined organic products and practices that Nourse Farms customers have tried and used. While we can’t guarantee their effectiveness, our customers have reported successful seasons using these products and practices.
Not Just for Organic Growers !
Synthetic Sulfer-BasedSubstances: Compounds
Product What It Does
Acoidal
Auron DF Defend DF Drexel Suffa Solawit Thiolux
Natural Substances
Substance What It Does Products
Neem Oil
Azadirachtin A broadspectrum insecticide disrupting pest feeding and reproduction. Effective against aphids, mites, tarnished plant bug, and caterpillars.
Aza-Direct
AzaGuard
Azasol
Azera Ecozin Plus Molt-X Neemix 4.5
Pyrethrins
Plant Oils
e.g., mint, clove, citronella
Extracted from chrysanthemum flowers, targets a wide range of pests including thrips, beetles, and aphids. Degrades rapidly, reducing environmental impact.
Pyganic Effective on Spotted Wing Drosophila
Multipurpose agents functioning as insecticides, fungicides, and sprout inhibitors.
JMS Stylet Oil (mineral oil)
Used to control powdery mildew, gray mold/ Botrytis fruit rot
Timorex Act (tea tree oil) Used to control gray mold/ Botrytis fruit rot
Controls a wide range of fungi including leaf blight, powdery mildew, anthracnose and late rust (brambles), gray mold/ Botrytis fruit rot; has shown activity against Spotted Wing Drosophila eggs and larvae
Controls leaf blight, anthracnose, powdery mildew, gray mold/Botrytis fruit rot, leather rot, and anthracnose (brambles)
Double Nickle 55/LC
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens str. D747
Regalia CG Reynoutria sachalinenis
Rootshield WP Trichoderma harzianum
Bio-Tam 2.0 Trichoderma species
Serenade ASO/Opti
Bacillus subtillis str QST 713
Entrust SC Spinosad
Controls powdery mildew, gray mold/Botrytis fruit rot, anthracnose (brambles)
Controls spider mites/leaf hopper
Grandevo CG/WDG Chromobacterium subsugae str. PRA4-1
Biobit HP, Biolink, Javelin, Xentara
Bacillus thuringensis vs. kurstaki
Bug-N-Sluggo spinosad, iron phosphate
Controls gray mold/ Botrytis fruit rot, black root rot, and other soilborne disease
Controls powdery mildew, gray mold/Botrytis fruit rot, anthracnose
Controls powdery mildew, gray mold/Botrytis fruit rot, anthracnose
Controls leather rot, black root rot, phytophthora root rot
Controls red stele, black root rot
Controls powdery mildew, Gray Mold/Botrytis Fruit Rot, anthracnose
Beneficial insects play an essential role not only in organic production but for many conventional growers as well. Beneficial insects can pollinate, improve soil health, and even provide natural pest control.
1. Predators: Insects such as ladybugs, lacewing larvae, and predatory beetles that control aphids, mites, thrips, and other pests.
2. Parasitoids: Wasps (e.g., Encarsia formosa) parasitize and control pests like whiteflies and aphids. Current trials are testing the use of wasps for Spotted Wing Drosophila control.
3. Pathogens: Some beneficial insects release biological agents, such as nematodes or fungi, to combat soil-borne pests like root weevils.
Herbicides
An organic herbicide strategy can be advantageous in a robust and diversified weed management program. However, relying on organic herbicides alone may require frequent re-applications for sustained weed control. Organic herbicides burn back to the ground small established weeds; they do not prevent weed seeds from germinating. The weeds will regrow if they have perennial roots. Organic herbicides have the best results in handling small annual weeds that have germinated around the crops rather than tackling areas with established perennial weeds.
Organic herbicides are non-selective, post-emergent, contact herbicides. We strongly advise reading the warning labels and carefully following the application instructions provided on the labels. Warnings and application instructions may vary between
brands; always read the label before each use. It is essential to ensure the herbicide does not contact the crop plants during spray application, as the spray may damage them, particularly strawberry plants. Using a hooded sprayer may help prevent crop contact and associated injury. High spray volumes are required to obtain sufficient coverage for ideal weed control.
Products include Ecoblend Weed Control Pro (soybean oil, citric acid), Finalsan Herbicidal Soap (ammoniated soap of fatty acid), Harris 20% Vinegar Weed Killer (acetic acid), and Suppress Herbicide EC (capric acid, caprylic acid).
Please contact Anne Kowaleck, Sales Director at akowaleck@noursefarms.com, for a complete list of organic products and their suppliers.
Nourse Farms appreciates and thanks Adam Hausmann, Adam’s Berry Farm in Charlotte, Vermont, and Josh Morganthau, Fishkill Farms in Hopewell Junction, New York, for their assistance and collaboration with this article.
Photo provided by Nourse Farms customer Blooms & Berries
Strawberry Plug Plants
At Nourse Farms, we know that your success starts with clean, vigorous plants. That’s why we’re committed to delivering high-quality, disease-free strawberry plug plants that set your operation up for maximum productivity.
Our mother material is propagated through tissue culture in our on-site lab, ensuring virus-free, true-to-type plants that perform consistently season after season.
Tips are grown under precisely controlled, soilfree conditions in our cutting-edge greenhouse, marrying advanced agricultural techniques with Nourse Farms’ established methods. This advanced approach reduces disease risks and strengthens young plants before they transition to the field.
Plugs are finished in our rail tray system, used at our Massachusetts and North Carolina locations, ensuring uniform root development and minimizing environmental stress. By reducing field splash and shielding plants from weather events, we deliver stronger plugs with faster establishment and better early growth.
With Nourse Farms’ proven propagation methods and top-performing varieties, you get the tools to boost yields, extend your season, and drive profitability—because your business deserves the best.
Whether you’re expanding your acreage, transitioning to new varieties, or looking for sustainable growing solutions, our team is ready to collaborate with you every step of the way. Order yours today! Call 1-877-NFBERRY or email info@noursefarms.com.
2025 Offerings
Galletta (early season)
Yambu (early mid-season)
Darselect (mid-season)
Flavorfest (mid-season)
Cabot (late mid-season)
AC Valley Sunset (late season)
Malwina (very late season)
Albion (day neutral)
Pricing
Quantities less than 50,000: $0.65/plug
Quantities 50,000-99,999: $0.63/plug
Quantities 100,000 or more: $0.59/plug
Shipping
Available Dates:
August 4-25, 2025 (Weeks 32-35)
Packed: 70 plugs/box
4,200 plugs/pallet
One pallet minimum for shipping. Shipping costs are calculated at the time of shipment.
Pick-up is available at our Whately, MA and Mills River, NC locations. No order minimums for pick ups.
We are extremely saddened to share that our dear friend and colleague, foundation greenhouse manager, Jim Walsh, passed away unexpectedly in March. Jim was kind-hearted, funny, a natural born teacher, and cared deeply for his family at home and at Nourse Farms. To lose Jim’s brilliance, friendship, and humor is devastating for all of us. You may remember Jim from our last Commercial Growers Newsletter (Fall 2024 edition), where he shared how he was championing water harvesting at Nourse Farms. We also featured him in our “Meet the Team” series on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram last spring, but in case you missed it, we thought we should share it here:
Jim has been growing plants in one form or another for 40 years. He embarked on his agricultural journey with a degree in agriculture from The Ohio State University. After graduation, Jim started working in his wife’s family greenhouse business, which was recognized during his tenure on the cover of Grower Talks magazine as an Up and Comer in the industry. In 2005, they sold their greenhouses, and, luckily for us, Jim landed at Nourse Farms in 2009. In his role as our foundation greenhouse manager, Jim is the person behind all our foundation plant material. This means that if you have a Nourse Farms plant, you have Jim to thank!
His favorite memory from his time working at Nourse Farms is picking berries during our U-Pick days.
Beyond the greenhouse, Jim is incredibly outdoorsy. He enjoys swimming, biking, and hiking. His happy place is the Teton and Gros Ventre Mountain ranges of Wyoming (can we blame him!?).
Jim thinks the berry that best describes him is the blueberry because blue is his favorite color, they freeze quickly, and picking is easy! We’d add that studies have shown blueberries can improve memory...and keeping track of all our foundation material requires an excellent memory!
Nourse Farms’ Sustainability Focus: Community Outreach
Lasting change requires collective effort. By engaging and collaborating with our community, we can foster awareness, inspire action, and create a shared sense of responsibility. Outreach efforts help drive sustainable practices at a grassroots level, ensuring long-term impact and resilience.
Over $15,000 5 Dollars donated in 2024 to numerous nonprofit organizations. Schools and educational programs that received donated plants in 2024. $12,810 Dollars raised by the Nourse Farms team for the 2024 WillBike4Food event to benefit the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.
In 2025, we’re excited to do even more! We’ll be participating in the WMass Mother’s Day Half Marathon on May 11 and WillBike4Food on September 25—two events that support important local causes. We’d love for you to join us in giving back and making a difference together.
