11. Weed and Pest Control
It doesn’t matter where you live in the United States – your vegetable and fruit garden is at risk of destruction from pests, diseases, and wildlife.
The most common disease giving blackberry growers problems is rust. Blackberry rust occurs due to fungal infection of the plant and requires a sulfur lamp to get rid of the fungi before they spread through the entire crop. Septoria leaf spot, caused by the Septoria Rubi fungi, is also a concern for gardeners.
Spider mites and whitefly are common pests known to infest blackberry crops. Spider mites spin a web around the canes and berries of the plant, and it’s easy to spot these insect invaders.
However, it’s challenging to get rid of spider mite, and you may need multiple rounds of spraying to get rid of these pests. Whitefly is also a persistent problem for blackberry growers, as these pest’s rest under the leaves of the plant, laying eggs that cause discoloration of the foliage.