For a summary of our current findings from our alternative fruit crops program, see our Extension Bulletin EB 2002 New Alternative Fruit Crops for Western Washington (3/2006 – PDF) |
Over the past 20 years the Fruit Horticulture program has tested a number of potential alternative crops. Important factors being considered in this program are disease susceptibility, reliable production and high quality production in the cool maritime climate of western Washington. Results from this program are also useful to western Oregon and British Columbia. Many of the fruit crops initially tested for suitability to the home grower have shown considerable promise as alternative crops for commercial production. Several of these crops best fit a specialty niche market, yet there are a few that show potential for larger-scale operations.
In 1998 a research planting was established at WSU Mount Vernon NWREC to investigate some new and interesting possibilities for wild and ornamental shrubs that produce berries or fruit not usually considered for their edible qualities. This trial was concluded in 2009.
Unusual Fruit
Figs 2007
Brown TurkeyBrunswick
Contessina De Dalmatie Desert KingGoutte D’Or |
LattarulaMadeleine
Neveralla Norland Pastiliere |
Peter’s HoneyPetite Negri
Sultane Tashkent Uzbekistan Vern’s Brown Turkey |
Kiwi 2007
A. arguta “Ananasnaja”A. arguta “Geneva”
A. arguta “Hardy Red” A. arguta “Issai” A. arguta “Jumbo” |
A. arguta “Ken’s Red”A. arguta “74,49”
A. deliciosa “Exbury” A. deliciosa “Maki” A. deliciosa “Matua” male |
A. deliciosa “Monty”A. deliciosa ” St. Albans”
A. deliciosa “Starella” |
Currants 2007
Ben AlderBen Connan
Ben Lomond Ben Nevis Ben Sarek Ben Tirran Blackdown |
BlankaHilltop Baldwin
Magnus Mason’s Minaj Smyriou Minn 69 Primus |
Prince ConsortRovada
Titania Tsema Viking |
Other fruit kinds in field 2007
AroniaCamellia“Tea Breeze” Cornus mas“Elegant” “Olga” “Pioneer” “Red Star” “Sevetok” “Yevgenii” Elderberry, variegatedGoumi“Sweet Scarlet” Honeyberry“Berry Blue” Honeysuckle“Bluebird” Mountain Ash“Ivan’s Beauty” “Nevezhinskaya” “Rabina” “Rosina” |
Mulberry“Oscar” Paw paw“Davis” “Ford Amend” “Overleese” “Penn’s Golden” “Prolific” “Rebecca’s Gold” “Sunflower” “Taylor” “Wells” Persimmon“Coffeecake” “Fuyu” “Ichi Kei Ki Jiro” “Izu” “Jiro” “Russian Beauty” (Rosseyonka – hybrid) “Saijo” “Slate” |
Persimmon, American“Campbell” “Early Golden” “Florence” “Garretson” “Golden Supreme” “John Rick” “Meader” Pomegranate“Dwarf” “Russian” Quince“Aromataya” “Van Deman” Stutgarter GieshirltleSeaberry (Sea Buckthorn)“Hergosa” “Leikora” “Pollmix” male X Sorbopyrus “Shipova” |