Distance Learning Berry Production Course - Now Available Online!
Become a Berry Expert!
This is a course for the enthusiast or commercial grower, covering all aspects of the propagation, care and cultivation of common, and uncommon, berry fruit; with the opportunity to specialise to some degree in one type of berry.
"Does growing berries appeal? If you live in a cool climate this course covers a multitude of berry species that would suit your conditions. Covers all aspects from soils to marketing." - Gavin Cole B.Sc., Psych.Cert., Cert.Garden Design, MACA, ACS Tutor
- After enrolling, watch our "orientation video" and discover how to use all sorts of services to support your study.
- Lots of flexibility is where and how often you study; and even what your learning is focussed on
- Exams are optional and only needed if you want to use this study as a credit in a formal qualification -even then, we always give you the option to repeat exams
- Exceptional tutor support -Our horticulture faculty includes a dozen university trained professionals most with decades of industry experience. You have unlimited access to tutors over the phone or email.
COURSE STRUCTURE
There are eight lessons as follows:
- Introduction
- Review of the system of plant identification
- Plant Families, Species, Cultivars, Varieties
- What is a Berry -Botanical Characteristics (Simple fruits, Compound Fruits)
- Information contacts (ie: nurseries, seed, clubs etc.)
- Which Varieties to Grow
- Site Selection,
- How much land
- Site Chjaracteristics
- Climate
- Winter Chilling Requirements
- Biological Considerations
- Further Considerations affecting what to Grow
- Review of Significant Berries including
- Blackcurrant
- Blueberry
- Brambleberry
- Blackberry
- Other Rubus species
- Cranberry
- Gooseberry
- Grape
- KiwiFruit
- Passionfruit
- Raspberry
- Strawberry
- Lesser Grown Varieties of Berry Plants
- Alpine Strawberry
- Cape Gooseberry
- Elderberry
- Goji berry
- Guava
- Hardy Kiwi Fruit
- Lignoberry
- Pepino
- Tree Tomato
- Mulberry
- Production Plan for Berry Cropping
- Culture
- Soils
- Planting
- Staking
- Mulching
- Watering
- Pest & disease
- Feeding
- Pruning
- Protection from wind, salt, air, etc.
- Propagation
- Methods of propagating berries
- Seed, Cuttings, Layering
- Aids to Propagation
- Hardening off Young Plants
- Propagation of selected varieties
- Weed Control & Irrigation
- What is a Weed
- How Weeds Spread
- Preventative methods of Control
- Eliminating growing weeds
- Identifying Weeds
- Water Infiltration and Retention
- Drainage
- Improving water Infiltration
- Soil Moisture Classes
- Measuring Water Available to Plants
- When to Irrigate
- Irrigating Berry Crops
- Harvesting & Marketing Berries
- When and How to Harvest
- Understanding Fruit Ripening
- Harvesting Techniques
- Post Harvest Treatments
- Commercial Berry Growing
- Marketing Berries
- The Marketing Process
- Understanding Supply and Demand
- Cost, Quality and Quantity characteristics in a Crop
- Farm Layout for Better Management
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.
Click here for more information
SUMMARY OF COMPETENCIES DEVELOPED
On successful completion of the course you should be able to do the following:
- 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.
WHAT THE COURSE COVERS
You will learn a wide variety of things, through a combination of reading, interacting with tutors, undertaking research and practical tasks, and watching videos. Here are just some of the things you will be doing:
- Distinguish between common and botanical definitions for the term berry.
- Compare the botanical characteristics of berry fruits from four different taxonomic families.
- Prepare a plant collection of twenty-five different berry varieties, not collected elsewhere in modules of the Advanced Diploma in Applied Science, 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, to grow in a specified locality.
- Evaluate the performance of four different berry varieties growing in the learners locality.
- Determine appropriate varieties of different berries to grow in a specified locality, including:
- Strawberries
- Brambles
- Other berries.
- Describe an appropriate planting method for each of three specified genera of berry fruits.
- Illustrate an appropriate pruning methods for each of four different genera of berry fruits, using sequences of drawings, photographs, or video.
- Determine appropriate irrigation practices for two different, specified berry plantings.
- Develop feeding programs for a twelve month period, for three different berry crops suited to growing in the learner's locality.
- Conduct simple soil tests to determine soil characteristics relevant to a proposed berry planting in the learner's locality. Soil tests should include:
- Soil type
- Water holding capacity
- pH
- Drainage
- Recommend appropriate soil preparation for the tested soil, in 3.5, prior to planting a specified berry crop.
- Compare four different weed control practices appropriate for specified berry crops.
- Develop soil maintenance programs for a twelve month period, on a monthly basis, for three different berry crops.
- Identify ten different health disorders (e.g. pests and diseases) on berry plants in the learner's locality.
- Develop a pest and disease control program for a twelve month period, for a specified berry crop.
- Describe different methods for propagating five specified berry plants, including:
- Cuttings
- Runners
- Division
- Layering
- Demonstrate cutting propagation of two different berry species.
- Produce marketable berry plants representing two different genera, either as bare rooted or container plants.
- Compare the commercial viability of propagating one specified berry by two alternative propagation techniques.
- Explain how to determine when five different types of berries are ready for harvest.
- Describe different methods for harvesting five different types of berries, including:
- Explain the harvesting of five types of berries before they are ripe, and ripening of the berries off the plant.
- Determine appropriate post-harvest treatments for a specified commercial berry crop.
- Develop a resource file of thirty items of information relevant to the berry fruit industry, including:
- Suppliers of berry plants
- Trade or grower associations
- Publications
- Determine criteria which are significant in the commercial success of a specific berry farm, visited by the learner.
- Explain how a range of five different berries are prepared for the market.
- Prepare a chart of ten different berry species that lists their shelf life.
- Evaluate the commercial viability of three different methods of packaging and presenting berries for sale.
- Compare common marketing strategies for berry fruits, including:
- Selling at wholesale markets
- Selling on contract to chain stores
- Selling to processors
- Roadside stalls
- U-pick selling
- Develop a marketing plan for one specified type of berry fruit.
Extract from Course:
Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum, Lycium chinense)
Also known as: Chinese Wolfberry, Happy Berry, Matrimony Vine, The Chinese Boxthorn, The Red Medlar, Duke of Argyll’s Tea Tree.
This plant recently referred to as a ‘wonder food’ or the ‘Mother of all Lyciums’ originates from china. It can grow as rather lax shrub that sends out long shoots of new growth often referred to as a ‘vine-shrub Lycium chinens’ or more upright Lycium barbarum. Both species have extensive roots system which helps the plant to seek out both moisture and nutrients – it also enables the winter dormant plant to live in extreme climatic conditions varying from -15°C to 40°C and is also drought tolerant. It is therefore suited to a range of climatic conditions such as the cool climate of the UK (where it grows wild in hedgerows – introduced to the UK in the 1600s) and temperate to sub- tropical areas of countries such as Australia. Full sun is preferred.
This is a low maintenance shrub that does require regular pruning to keep the plant in shape, it also makes harvesting of the berries easier.
The shrub fruits once a year and consequently the fruits are dried for later use. All parts of the plant are used for medicinal purposes including the leaves, flowers, berries, bark and roots. Parts are harvested according to the season and are reputed to aid longevity as well as good health: leaves are harvested for use in spring, glowers in summer, fruits in autumn and roots and bark in winter.
Plant can be grown from seed or bought as rooted cuttings. Plant out in summer and commence harvesting good crops in the 2nd or 3rd year (usually around 1kg per plant). The berries do oxidise readily during harvest and also bruise easily there is no quick harvesting method. Although they can be eaten fresh, they are usually consumed dried.
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.
What learning method should I choose?
We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”
How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
What Do Our Students think of us?
If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
Recognition and Accreditation
For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.
Who is ACS Distance Education?
If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”
Home Study Berry Production Course
Learn to care, propagate and cultivate berries.
Study in your own time and at your own pace.
Work in this growth industry.
All tutors are highly knowledgeable and experience.
"Does growing berries appeal? If you live in a cool climate this course covers a multitude of berry species that would suit your conditions. Covers all aspects from soils to marketing." - Gavin Cole B.Sc., Psych.Cert., Cert.Garden Design, MACA, ACS Tutor
Become a Berry Expert!
For the enthusiast or commercial grower, covering all aspects of the propagation, care and cultivation of common, and uncommon, berry fruit; with the opportunity to specialise to some degree in one type of berry.
