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Small fruits issues are addressed by conducting research and outreach programs for commercial grape and blueberry growers. Examples of outreach efforts include:
- Grape Expectations – An annual meeting for the commercial grape growers is held in March.
- Blueberry Open House – An annual meeting for commercial blueberry growers is held in February.
Homeowners growing blueberries, grapes, and brambles are also supported by outreach efforts.
Upcoming Events
Blueberry Open House
Thursday, March 6, 2025
8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Blueberry Open House is a daylong symposium containing lectures designed to present cutting edge information on all aspects of highbrush blueberry production including disease control, insect control, weed control, fertilization, and pesticide safety.
Grape Expectations
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The symposium will be a series of lectures by professionals in viticulture (grape growing) and enology (winemaking). Lectures are designed to present new and relevant information to professionals and amateurs involved with any aspect of grape growing or the wine industry.
Special Projects
Vineyards
New vineyards have been established throughout New Jersey. Dr. Pavlis has imported grape varieties from Italy and is currently cooperating with a nursery to propagate plants in an effort to make them available to vineyard owners.
Blueberries
Dr. Pavlis has changed the methodology of fertilizing commercial blueberries. His research has changed the timing of application, computerized fertilizer recommendations and introduced fertilizing through trickle systems (fertigation) to blueberry growers. The result has been higher yields, better fruit quality and healthier plants.
Blueberry Integrated Pest Management
Cultivated blueberry production in New Jersey ranks second in the nation behind Michigan. Atlantic county is the center of production with almost 80% of the total crop produced here. Growers in our county have always been progressive and tend to adapt to practices which often result in better efficiency. More information about blueberry integrated pest management.
Frequently Requested Information
Small Fruits: Commercial
- Bramble (Raspberries & Blackberries) Weed Control Recommendations for New Jersey, 2007
- Commercial Blueberry Pest Control Recommendations for New Jersey
- Commercial Bramble Pest Control Recommendations for New Jersey – See Chapter 8 of the Mid-Atlantic Berry Guide
- Commercial Cranberry Pest Control Recommendations for New Jersey
- Commercial Grape Pest Control Recommendations for New Jersey
- Extraction of Blueberry Maggot Larvae from Harvested Blueberry Fruit
- Fescue Grasses as Permanent Cover Between Rows of Blueberry
- New Jersey Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide
Small Fruits: Gardening and Landscaping
NOTE: Other commercial and homeowner small fruit related fact sheets and bulletins are available through RCE publications or by contacting our office at 609-625-0056.
Other Resources
For the Grape/Wine Enthusiast
American Wine Society, a non-profit national organization supplying information on grape growing and wine making.
For More Information
Gary C. Pavlis
County Agent II/Associate Professor
Specialty: Small Fruits
pavlis@njaes.rutgers.edu
Carrie Mansue
Program Associate
Specialty: Fruit IPM
cmansue@njaes.rutgers.edu
Lori Jurasik
Secretary
Jurasik_Lori@aclink.org