The latest fruit research and information...

image of researchers working on low tunnel strawberries

Performance of Junebearing strawberry cultivars: 2019-2022

January 27, 2023
hands holding strawberries

The latest look at strawberry cultivar trials, and how they have been performing at our two research centers.

by Jim Luby


Junebearing strawberry variety trial results 2019-2021

January 27, 2022
people working in strawberry trial field

Variety testing is an important part of the research we do at the U of MN. We put classic and newer varieties to the test to determine how they stand up to challenges specific to different areas of the state. 

by Jim Luby


Quantities of quality: Fruit quality of kiwiberry in Minnesota

August 4, 2021
kiwiberries spilling out of an overturned teacup

Quantity or quality? Fruit growers rely on both, but how is quality measured?

by Seth Wannemuehler and Emily Tepe


Timing is everything: Harvesting kiwiberries in Minnesota

August 4, 2021
kiwiberry fruit hanging on the vine

Harvesting can be tricky for a fruit that doesn’t change color. So how do we know when a kiwiberry is ready to harvest?

by Seth Wannemuehler


Choosing kiwiberry varieties

June 30, 2021
Hand holding several Actinidia kolomikta fruit

You’ve been hearing about an exciting new fruiting vine called kiwiberry that can produce tropical tasting fruit in Minnesota, but which varieties should you plant?

by Seth Wannemuehler


Insect repellents for berries

April 29, 2021
blueberry fruit on plants

Can spraying essential oils protect ripening berries from invasive spotted-wing drosophila?

by Matthew Gullickson


Vineyard cover crops, part 4: Ryegrass

March 8, 2021
vineyard with grass cover crop

This week we’re taking a look at ryegrass, and how its use as an under-vine cover crop affects various aspects of a vineyard.

by Jayden Corliss


Germination: Dissuasion for invasion?

December 1, 2020
germinated kiwiberry plant just emerging from soil in a greenhouse tray

The ability for a plant to become invasive depends on a number of factors like growth rate, flower longevity, and reproductive capability. Seed germination falls under this last category and may be telling about the future of kiwiberry production.

by Seth Wannemuehler


Vineyard cover crops, part 3: White clover

September 8, 2020
clover growing under grapevines

This week we’re taking a look at white clover, and how its use as an under-vine cover crop affects various aspects of a vineyard.

by Jayden Corliss


Testing tabletop strawberries in the Upper Midwest

August 24, 2020
strawberries growing in raised troughs

Are you interested in growing strawberries with reduced labor or on marginal land? We are testing a raised gutter growing system to meet those goals.

by Nathan Dalman


About us

We are faculty, researchers, and students in the Department of Horticultural Science fruit research program. We partner with Extension educators, community organizations, and farmer-cooperators to solve problems faced by fruit growers across Minnesota.


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