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Strawberries & Caneberries

The strawberry and caneberry (raspberries and blackberries) program is run by Mark Bolda and serves the grower community via traditional agricultural extension, research and investigation of problems in these important crops in Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito Counties. Current areas of proposed research include enhancing yield and post harvest quality of promotion of winter strawberry production, investigations into the cost of production of caneberries, and being on the alert for issues arising from the transition from methyl bromide to alternative soil fumigants.

Advisors Mark Bolda & Steven Koike

Anthracnose on Strawberry

Strawberry/Caneberry Staff

Photo of Mark P Bolda
Mark P Bolda
Title: Farm Advisor, Strawberries & Caneberries
Specialty: Strawberry and caneberry culture - horticulture, fertility, pest management practices, closed environment agriculture
Address:
UC Cooperative Extension Santa Cruz County
500 Westridge Drive
Watsonville, CA 95076
Phone: (831) 763-8001
Email: mpbolda@ucanr.edu
Mark Bolda's Blog
  • Fifth instar of spiny assassin bug - this looks a lot like what we have been finding in strawberry fields, especially towards the end of the season.
    Introducing the Spiny Assassin Bug

    Close readers of this blog will know that last year Mark noted toward the end of the season a very unusual looking insect in two of his strawberry research plots, which UCCE Entomologist on the Central Coast at the time Kirsten Pearson identified as the...


    By Mark P Bolda
    Author - Farm Advisor, Strawberries & Caneberries
    By Mohammad Aghaee
    Author
  • Photo 1:Note burnt edges of leaves - these canes are growing outside of protected tunnel culture.
    Heat Damage to Raspberry Foliage

    In case you haven't heard or been outside lately, it's been real warm in the Watsonville-Salinas area the last few days.  A lot of effects, like sunburn and softness of the fruit, have been pretty common but I also spied the damage on raspberry...


    By Mark P Bolda
    Author - Farm Advisor, Strawberries & Caneberries
  • Alternative Crop Opportunity for Berry Growers

    Mark here - I was approached by Bob Tews, who is a part of a Colorado family business that produces a liqueur called Tingala  www.tingalaspirits.com  He is looking for growers in the Santa Cruz County area who might have an interest...


    By Mark P Bolda
    Author - Farm Advisor, Strawberries & Caneberries
Fresas y Moras