2019 ASHS Annual Conference

Consumer interest in antioxidant-rich small fruit is growing nationwide. In Montana, local producers would like to capitalize on this interest, but are limited by high pH soil and a short growing season with severe winters. Several species of fruit with limited current production have potential for production in Montana for local markets. In 2015 we established replicated experimental orchards of multiple cultivars of Aronia (Aronia arbutifolia), Dwarf Sour Cherry (Prunus Spp), Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia), Haskap (Lonicera caerulea), and Black Currant (Ribes nigrum) at three locations in Montana. All have survived well, and we will present data on phenology, yield, fruit quality, and production issues.