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Crop Matrix Tool

Use this tool to find out about characteristics; such as soil pH, cultivation methods, pests and post harvest treatment; for a specific crop. To load a crop's characteristics choose a crop from the drop-down menu. To see a list of all possible crops grouped by category click on the “Show List of All Available Crops” link next to the drop-down menu.

OR Show List of All Available Crops

Elderberry

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General
Common NameElderberry
Latin NameSambucus canadensis, Sambucus spp.
CategoryFruits 
FamilyBrambles 
VarietyAdams No. I, Adams No. 2, York, Johns, Kent, Nova, Scotia 
Visual Traits
Flowersmall, white clusters; June
No Citation Available
Fruitfall; Adams series ripen early September; develop on current season's growth, but especially on second-season lateral canes
No Citation Available
Height7 ft
No Citation Available
Cultivation
Cultivation and Mulchingmulch for weed suppression, do not cultivate deeper than 2" to protect roots
No Citation Available
Field preparation and plantingincorporate manure or compost prior to planting
No Citation Available
Field spacing / planting depth6-10' spacing; plant two different cultivars within 60' to ensure cross-pollination
No Citation Available
Hardwood Cuttingsheel cuttings from older wood; late winter
No Citation Available
Harvestlate August to early September; remove cluster and strip fruit
No Citation Available
Pollinationvirtually self-incompatible; plant two cultivars to ensure pollination
No Citation Available
Propagation methodseed, container, division
No Citation Available
Pruninglate winter, early spring; remove weak canes more than three years old, leaving equal number 1:2:3y growth
No Citation Available
Retail Source6-10 ft apart
No Citation Available
Seed treatment and storagestore 60days at 68°F, 90-150days at 41°F in moist sand
No Citation Available
Softwood cuttingsSeptember
No Citation Available
Sowing seedsow immediately in fall or store and sow in spring; germinates following spring; 1/4" deep, cover 3/8" sawdust
No Citation Available
Transplantspring; plant as soon as received from nursery to prevent drying
No Citation Available
Watering guidelineskeep well-watered first season to prevent drying shallow roots
No Citation Available
Critters
Insect and invertebrate pestscane borers
No Citation Available
Pathogenspowdery mildew
No Citation Available
Soils
Fertility / qualityfertile
No Citation Available
Moisture and drainagemoist, well drained; intolerant to poor drainage; tolerates dry
No Citation Available
Soils and topographystream banks, meadows, fencerows
No Citation Available
Textureprefers sandy loam, tolerates wide range
No Citation Available
Growth Pattern
Fruit bearing age / full crop load1y / 2y (lose vigor by 3-4y)
No Citation Available
Root habitshallow rooted
No Citation Available
Habitat and Climate
Fire tolerancemoderately tolerant
No Citation Available
Frost-free days (FFD)100
No Citation Available
Hardiness Zone(3)4-9
No Citation Available
Rainfall / humidity34-60"
No Citation Available
Light
Light recommendationfull sun to partial shade
No Citation Available
Shade tolerancemoderately tolerant
No Citation Available
Special Notes
Note 1Must match variety to site
No Citation Available
Note 2higher in phosphorous and potassium than any other temperate fruit, rich in vitamin C
No Citation Available
  
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