Oregon CropMAP

Coastal Region Small Fruit Crops

Prepared by Dr. Chad Finn, Research Geneticist, Northwest Center for Small Fruit Research, © 1999. This is a list of small fruit crops that are either currently grown, are recommended alternate crops, are experimental crops, or are not recommended for the Coastal Region. The Coastal Area small fruit region includes parts of Clatsop, Tillamook, Lincoln, Coos, and Curry counties as indicated on the map at right. The coastal climate has mild summers that can be heavily influenced by fog off of the Pacific Ocean and wet, mild winters. The Coastal Region is largely a minor region for small fruit production with the exception of the substantial cranberry industry found in the southern areas of this region. A wide variety of berries can be grown but the markets are primarily a pick-your-own or fresh for local sales.

Northwest Berry and Grape Information Net

Northwest Center for Small Fruit Research

Oregon Raspberry and Blackberry Commission

Oregon Blueberry Commission

Oregon Strawberry Commission

Existing Crops

Crop
Information
Links

Blackberries-erect, semi-erect

Adapted. Mild climate but low number of heat units so need to choose cultivars that will ripen during the growing season. Primarily for roadside markets/local sale.

Oregon

NewCROP

Blackberries-trailing, 'Boysen', 'Logan'

Adapted. Primarily for roadside markets/local sale.

Oregon

NewCROP

Blueberries

Adapted. Mild climate but low number of heat units so need to choose cultivars that will ripen during the growing season. Primarily for roadside markets/local sale.

Oregon

NewCROP

Cranberry

Adapted to coastal regions. Difficult market to break into. Expensive to establish. Large processing industry is well established.

Oregon

NewCROP

Raspberries, Red

Adapted. Susceptible to root rots on wet soils so should be planted on ridges. Primarily for roadside markets/local sale.

Oregon

NewCROP

Strawberries

Adapted. Primarily for roadside markets/local sale.

Oregon

NewCROP

Recommended New, Alternate or Underutilized Crops

Baby/Hardy Kiwifruit (Actinidia arguta)

Experimental. May not have enough heat units in some years for reliable fruit production.

Oregon

NewCROP

Currants and gooseberries (Ribes sp.)

Adapted. Excellent potential. Market is not well developed. Gooseberries and red currants can be sold fresh or processed. While some black currants are sold fresh, they are usually made into juice.

Oregon

NewCROP

Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)

Adapted. Limited market. Processing only.

Oregon

NewCROP

Lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis idaea)

Adapted. Many small trial plantings newly established in grower fields. Market undeveloped and unknown.

Oregon

NewCROP

Raspberries-Black

Adapted. Primarily for roadside markets/local sale.

Oregon

NewCROP

Salal (Gaultheria shalon)

Harvested from wild for cut evergreen foliage. Fruit was historically valued by Native Americans.

Oregon

NewCROP

Trailing western blackberry (Rubus ursinus)

Harvested from wild stands for specialty markets.

Oregon

NewCROP

Vaccinium "Huckleberries" (V. ovatum)

Harvested from wild stands for specialty markets primarily for cut evergreen foliage but fruit or fruit products are often sold. Can be grown successfully in cultivated stands

Oregon

NewCROP

Experimental New or Alternate

Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides)

Should be adapted. No ongoing research or commercial production. Primarily processed.

Oregon

NewCROP

Juneberry/Saskatoon (Amelanchier sp.)

Adapted. Poor market potential due to its similarity in appearance to blueberry and the common feeling that the fruit quality is inferior to blueberry.

Oregon

NewCROP

Edible Honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea)

Adaptation uncertain but being researched by Ore. St. Univ./USDA in Willamette Valley. Extremely early flowering and ripening. Fresh market. Does poorly with drought stress.

Oregon

NewCROP

Buffalo berry (Hippophae argentea syn. Sheperdia argentea)

Should be adapted. No ongoing research or commercial production. Old crop that has never developed a market. Primarily processed.

Oregon

NewCROP

Aronia (A. melanocarpa)

Adapted. Only processed for juice. Demand uncertain.

Oregon

NewCROP

Not Recommended

Fuzzy Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa)

Not enough heat units for reliable fruit production.

Oregon

NewCROP