Fruits and vegetables are Georgia's number-two cash crop, and the popularity of small fruits like blackberries, strawberries and citrus even extends further than commercial production.
Small fruits continue to be an important commodity, and UGA Extension provides both farmers and home gardeners a variety of information to help have the best output with the least amount of labor possible.
For information about home garden fruit production, see our Lawn & Garden: Fruits and Vegetables section.
Our Programs and Services
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Lab Testing and Analysis Services Testing for soil, plant tissue, water quality, animal waste, feeds and forages, pesticides, and much more!
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On-Site and Telephone Consultation Available in many county offices for ag producers.
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Pesticide Safety Education Program Topics include pest identification, storage and disposal, pesticide drift and runoff prevention, water quality protection, and food safety.
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Production Meetings Updates on local issues for growers and producers.
Recent Publications
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Citrus Fruit for Southern and Coastal Georgia (B 804) Citrus plants are very versatile around the home and may be used as individual specimens, hedges or container plants. Their natural beauty and ripe fruits make them attractive additions to the South G…
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Southeastern Peach Growers' Handbook Series: San Jose Scale: A Pernicious and Persistent Pest of Peaches (C 1225) San Jose scale, Comstockaspis perniciosus (Comstock), is a pest of peaches, nectarines, plums, and other tree fruits including apples, pears, and cherries. San Jose scale is considered a secondary pes…
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2022 Georgia Plant Disease Loss Estimates (AP 102-15) 2022 plant disease losses, including control costs, amounted to an estimated $933 million. The value of the crops used in this estimate was approximately $8200 million, resulting in a 11.4% relative d…
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Heirloom Vegetables in the Home Garden (C 1302) This publication discusses heirloom vegetable choices and some of the common issues that growers may encounter when growing heirloom vegetables in a home garden setting. Additional author: Whitney Ric…
Websites
UGA-affiliated sites
Strawberry News Extension blog with production guides, IPM guide, and current updates on strawberry production in Georgia.
UGA Small Fruit Program Strives to increase the efficiency of production systems by improving small fruit production management practices in Georgia.
Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium Newsletters related to the production and marketing of small fruits.
Sustainable Agriculture at UGA Brings together information on sustainable agriculture including organic agriculture, pollinators, and other resources.
UGA Department of Horticulture Learn more about the horticulture department at the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
UGA Department of Plant Pathology Learn more about the plant pathology department at the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Commodity Teams at CAES Teams made up of research scientists and extension specialists work together to provide the latest technology and information for efficient, profitable production of some of Georgia's most valuable commodities.
External Sites
Blackberry and Raspberry Information (NC State) Instructional resources for commercial and home growers including production recommendations, pest management, and weather information.
Georgia Strawberry Growers Association on Facebook Catalogs and links to state growers.
North American Raspberry and Blackberry Association Promotes raspberry and blackberry growth and consumption. Provides selection, storage tips, and recipes for consumers. Provides research foundation, networking, and conferences for members.
North American Strawberry Growers Association Promotes research and represents growers' interests before regulatory and legislative bodies.
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Organic Shelf Life Because organic growers and packers must adhere to higher production standards and restrictions on chemical additives, University of Georgia experts are exploring alternative methods for protecting organic products and consumers through a new $3.5 million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture.
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Spotted Lanternfly in Georgia Despite its striking appearance, with bold orange wings and eye-catching patterns, the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is far from the welcome guest it may seem. This invasive insect has made its way to Georgia, posing a significant economic threat to agriculture and threatening residential landscapes with tree damage.
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A Shared Harvest At Mark’s Melon Patch, UGA Extension plays a key role in supporting agritourism and farming traditions through expert advice and collaboration.
