People cant believe me when I tell them you can grow fruit in Saskatchewan. In the last two years I have planted 14 acres of chokecherries(black cherries) and seabuckthorns on my properties. Not only fruit orchards are economically viable here, but fruit plantations dramatically increase the value of our cheap land. Markets for these fruits, though, need to be developed. Does anybody know markets for chokecherries and seabuckthorns; does anybody has experience in managing a northern orchard? From chokecherry kingdom...Alexander

-- Alexander Levin (morsealexlevin@hotmail.com), July 31, 2001

Answers

Don't forget that gooseberries, & currants are also good in cold climates. Though they don't ship well (currants mostly) this would be good for a pick your own business.

animalfarms

-- animalfarms (jawjlewis@netzero.net), August 01, 2001.

Hi Alexander i dont suppose apples and other hard fruits do well in Saskatchewan? What about soft fruits like strawberry and blueberry? do these also grow well?

I was wondering Alexander, whats the growing season like in Saskatchewan? how long is it? and whats the winter weather like?

thanks.

-- Craig (ruskie@absolutevodka.fsnet.co.uk), August 01, 2001.

Apples, strawberries, blueberries in Saskatchewan? Absolutely! We have many northern apple varieties imported fron Russia, and developed at Morden Agricultural Research Station. There are few commercial apple orchards in Saskatchewan, but everyone has afew apple trees in their back yard...Strawberries do very well in Saskatchewan. There are many commercial plantations. We even suply sturdy seedling material for California strawberry growers...Blueberries, or Saskatoons as they are commonly known in Saskatchewan(saskatoons look and taste very close to blueberries) have made the province famous for it. There are many commercial saskatoon orchards in the province; and our largest city is named...Saskatoon!...Winter in Saskatchewan is...well, colder than in England. Typical daily temperature minus15 *C, at night it gets colder; the cold though is moderated by dry air and brilliant winter sunshine. Even at minus 20*C the snow is melting on the roof when the sun is out. We skate, ski, snowmobile, ice fish in the winter; Growing season is from late April to early September; wheat though is planted in May and harvested within 90 days. People grow in their gardens zuckinies, cucumbers, tomatoes, corn, really anything!

-- Alexander Levin (morsealexlevin@hotmail.com), August 01, 2001.

I had to use a temperature conversion site to get from Celsius to Fahrenheit -- I can't think in Celsius. -15C = 5F and -20C = -4F.

I find those temps really hard to believe. According to the plant hardiness zone maps, the warmest zone in Saskatchewan is Zone 4a. Here in south central Wisconsin, I am in Zone 4b (warmer than 4a), and our winter lows are in the -20F range. My home town in northern Wisconsin is right on the border of Zone 3b/4a -- the winter lows there are closer to -30 to -35 below (with "snaps" even colder). Snow cover there helps some plants to survive. Not sure what kind of snow cover could be expected in Saskatchewan.

Here is a link to see the plant hardiness zones in Canada: Link For those of you unfamiliar with the Canadian provinces, Saskatchewan is third from the left (west coast).

-- Joy F [in So. Wisconsin] (CatFlunky@excite.com), August 01, 2001.

Oops, I see Alexander says those are daytime temps, and it gets colder at night.

-- Joy F [in So. Wisconsin] (CatFlunky@excite.com), August 01, 2001.

Saskatoons are similar to blueberies but here they are called Juneberries ( more like a huckleberry?)Related but not exactly the same.

I live in North Dakota and we grow every garden thing we want as well as berrrie, plums and apples. People often think we are practically in the arctic circle or something. So I know how you feel.

-- Novina (lamb@stellarnet.com), August 06, 2001.

Saskatoon berries are blue like blueberries and strawberries are red like raspberries. I have Saskatoon berries (wild) all over my property and my partner comes from Blueberry country. They are definitely not alike! They do not taste similar either. Just like strawberries and raspberries Ben Ben from Saskatchewan

-- Ben Ben (11022033@canada.com), August 08, 2001.