Whole haskap berries along with crushed juice on ice-cream
Have you had a chance to see and taste Haskap berries? This Saturday, you try them on ice cream at Don Northcott’s farm, 43 MacNevin Drive in Clyde River. You will also learn about this burgeoning berry industry where Don’s company Phytocultures is taking a lead to support its commercial success for growers. Phytocultures has spent the past 10 years focusing on production and berry variety development and also mechanized harvesting methods to make it a viable commercial venture.
The event begins at 11:00 a.m. and includes the following activities and displays:
- Berry variation display – varieties include Indigo Treat, Indigo Gem and Borealis
- Pruning results – poster
- Easy Harvester poster/video operation
- Berry cleaning equipment
- Deep Roots Distillery – Haskap liquor
- Noronha Elaterid Light Trap – Insect trap demo
- Koppert bumble bee hive demo
11:30 a.m. – Welcome Remarks
12:00 noon – Tour of Haskap Berry Plots
- Breeding and selecting a plot
- Objectives and future developments
- High density planting – rationale for this configuration
- 2008 plot – 10 years of observation – trial and error
12:30 p.m. – Harvest Demonstration
- 2008 plot with pruned and un-pruned bushes
- Reciprocating bush shaker – Easy Harvester demo
- Berry cleaning demonstration
1:00 p.m. – Haskap Berries over Ice Cream!
Easy to pick; they have a delicate, velvety skin
The unique advantage of Haskaps is they are a berry that can be grown in cooler regions. For many years, they have grown successfully in Japan and Russia. The Haskap bush flowers can survive -3 to -5 degrees Celsius. Haskap berries ripen in June, so they offer the first delicious taste of the summer. They exceed blueberries in antioxidants and are very high in Vitamin C along with potassium, Vitamin A and dietary fibre.
Take some time on Saturday to learn about farming innovation happening right here in Clyde River.
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