{"id":2364,"date":"2019-06-06T09:40:41","date_gmt":"2019-06-06T09:40:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/?p=2364"},"modified":"2020-01-22T09:09:16","modified_gmt":"2020-01-22T09:09:16","slug":"14-care-instructions-for-blackberries-in-your-garden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/14-care-instructions-for-blackberries-in-your-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Care Instructions for Blackberries in Your Garden"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Blackberries are one of the most widely cultivated types of berry plants out there, and they\u2019re certainly one of the most popular overall \u2013 and with very good reason, too. Blackberries are one of the best possible things you can add to your diet, and they\u2019re known for being higher in vitamin C than oranges and a rich source of all the antioxidants that you need to get to your daily recommended diet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019re one of the easiest berries to grow, and if you take good care of your plants they can be fruitful for up to ten years or more; as long as they\u2019re subject to the right conditions, blackberry plants can thrive in almost any possible conditions and in most parts of the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wouldn\u2019t you really love to pick your own blackberries in your own garden rather than having to buy them at the store? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are 8 easy essential care instructions for planting and maintaining blackberries in your garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Preparing the Soil<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Preparing the soil is one of the most important first steps for any gardener no matter what they might be planting, and the same is obviously true for planting blackberries. Never assume that the soil conditions in your garden are already optimal, especially not when you\u2019re trying to introduce a new plant to your garden that might not be used to the soil conditions \u2013 this can be a killer for new plants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having said this, preparing the soil in preparation for planting blackberries is relatively simple. First, start off by selecting the best spot for your plants \u2013 for blackberries, the plants prefer access to full (but not harsh) sun \u2013 and from there, loosen the soil and remove any rocks, stems or weeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve done this, the next essential step is adding all-organic compost to the soil, mixing it in and testing the pH of the soil to ensure it\u2019s optimal for blackberries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Adapting Watering Needs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Watering is an obviously essential part of plant growth, and even people who have never taken to gardening in their lives will know that plants need water \u2013 but the trick for more advanced gardeners is figuring out just how much water the plants they\u2019re working with will need, and then adapting this according to the individual plant, the season and the current conditions of the soil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blackberries are a type of plant that likes to get a lot of water, although it\u2019s also common for first-time gardeners to overdo it and drown their plants; start off with watering once per week, and change this as needed \u2013 when the soil becomes dry, water, and waterless as seasons change and the rain increases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t water blackberries in full sunlight: Water droplets can create a magnifying glass effect, which can scorch an otherwise-fine plant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a rule, nutrients in the water aren\u2019t necessary \u2013 but can sometimes be used to adjust the pH of the soil when needed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Blackberries from Cuttings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most people who are planting blackberries in their garden will opt to transplant an already-existing plant that\u2019s closer to the flowering stage \u2013 for most, it\u2019s just easier to do this and you can enjoy the fruits of the plant a lot sooner. But there\u2019s no reason why you can\u2019t plant them from cuttings instead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have the time and the space in your garden to do this, you can easily plant blackberries directly from cuttings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than this, if you have a thriving and preferred blackberry plant in your garden that seems to be doing well, there\u2019s nothing that stops you from taking cuttings from this plant to re-start growth of a new plant that comes from strong stock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When taking cuttings, take approximately five to six inches of the stem and allow these to grow placed in water over a few days \u2013 most of the time, they take. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Initial Plant Spacing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Plant spacing and general garden planning are some of the most important factors when you\u2019re putting a garden together, and yet this is something that a lot of novice gardeners will skip over \u2013 or will realize later down the line that they could have done something differently or better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s recommended that you decide at least more or less what you\u2019re planting where, and mark off sections of the garden (even on a simple piece of paper) as demarcated areas for certain types of plants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Decide where you will plant fragrant blooms as opposed to berry plants. It\u2019s also a good idea to choose a certain area of the garden for plants to ward off bugs (including certain varieties of mint) and to also remember to leave room for a \u201cwalking path\u201d through your garden even during the first initial planning phases for how you would like your garden laid out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Fertilizer Tricks and Tips<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Compost is one of the best things you can do for a plant, and this is as true during the beginning phases of growth as it is ten years down the line. The great thing about compost is that it\u2019s easy to get a simple compost heap started in your own garden, and you can put most of your plant cuttings and trimmings in your compost heap \u2013 this saves space and circulates essential nutrients back into the environment at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mix compost into the soil at least on a twice-yearly basis, and test the pH of the soil before and after the process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Store-bought fertilizers can also sometimes be perfectly fine for promoting plant growth, although always read the instructions and thin as needed so that you don\u2019t turn it too acidic. In the case of adding store-bought fertilizer, always \u2013 and this means always \u2013 mix away from the roots or you risk burning the roots due to the acidity, and this can instantly kill an otherwise healthy plant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. No Fruit? Here\u2019s Why<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are some cases where gardeners might notice that the blackberry plants in their garden aren\u2019t producing fruit as they should, or not producing fruit at all even when it\u2019s the right season and time for it to happen. Sometimes this can be restricted to only one part of the garden, and other times it might affect several plants at once. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice that your blackberry plants aren\u2019t bearing fruit in the way they should, check the plants for any potential signs of the diseases that most commonly affect blackberry plants, and ensure that they\u2019re getting access to the right nutrients to promote growth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The majority of viruses and pests affecting blackberry plants are easy to take care of with a simple adjustment here and there; consider natural forms of pesticide spray that can be made from other components of the garden if pests become an issue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remove plants that are beyond repair, and don\u2019t add them to your compost heap. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Blackberry Pruning Needs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most important things, if you want the blackberry plants in your garden to continuously do well for years to come, is to make sure you approach the pruning in the correct way. There\u2019s certainly a right and a wrong way to do it, especially when it comes to berry plants \u2013 if you trim a blackberry plant too early on, you\u2019re taking away from its flowering capacity by wasting energy, and the same is true if you prune it too late in the process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is why a hands-on approach is always best for gardening. When you should prune your blackberries will depend on the individual plant, and it\u2019s always a good idea to trim off dead leaves and stems as you go along throughout the year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for general pruning, ideally, do this at least twice per year around the change of the seasons if you want to get the most out of your plant \u2013 and remember that you don\u2019t want to prune too short.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Harvesting Berries<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Harvesting berries from your own blackberry plant is the part that most gardeners spend the bulk of the year waiting for, and there\u2019s no better feeling than literally harvesting the fruits of your effort from the garden. If you know your plants well enough, you\u2019ll know when to harvest \u2013 ideally, the harvesting stage comes after the berries are ready, and before the stage before they start to drop off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

About five days after berries have appeared are a good rule of thumb for when to harvest, and this is enough to make sure that you get to the berries in your garden before any of the birds do! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When harvesting berries, remember that they stain like almost nothing else: Don\u2019t wear your best shirt, and wash your hands before you touch anything that you don\u2019t want stained purple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ideally, berries can be kept in the fridge, but are also fine when frozen for use instead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Selection
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Blackberries are a small, dark fruit with hairs on the surface of the berry and thorny stems. The stems and hairs of the plant, act as a natural defense against animals, like deer, which strip the plant of its fruit. However, talented horticulturists have managed to change the characteristics of blackberries, creating three new exciting varieties.
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The Natchez and Quachita, are two new varieties with exciting modifications to the genetics of the original blackberry. These blackberries grow bigger than the standard fruit, producing thornless plants that are ideal for commercial growth.
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The Kiowa variety has the largest fruit, with thorny stems to discourage animals from eating the plant. All three of these blackberry varieties produce arching, upright canes. The adjustment from the canes helps the plant keep the fruit off of the floor, removing the need for a trellis. It\u2019s also easy to train a blackberry plant against a wall or fence, reducing the need to spray the plant for pests and animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Fertilizer Needs
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Blackberries will grow and fruit without the use of fertilizer. However, if you choose to use nutrients in your crop, then you can expect significantly larger yields and higher quality fruit.
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The difference between using external nutrients and growing without nutrients is significant, and while some home growers may not fertilize their blackberries, all commercial growers use fertilizer to increase the size, flavor, and juiciness of the berries.
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It\u2019s vital that you till the soil before the planting season in early spring. Dig into the ground at least a foot deep, and loosen it to improve the aeration of the earth. Before planting, add a \u00bc-pound of 10\/10\/10 fertilizer for every 100-square feet of growing space.
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If your soil is barren and unfertile, add up to a \u00bd-pound per 110 square feet. Commercial blackberry growers require 500-pounds of the fertilizer for every acre. Test the pH of the soil before you plant your blackberries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Weed and Pest Control<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It doesn\u2019t matter where you live in the United States \u2013 your vegetable and fruit garden is at risk of destruction from pests, diseases, and wildlife. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s easy to spot these insect invaders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it\u2019s 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\u2019s rest under the leaves of the plant, laying eggs that cause discoloration of the foliage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Soil pH<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If your blackberry plant is slow to grow, and does not yield any fruit \u2013 or it produces tiny berries, then the chances are that you have problems with the soil pH in your garden. Soil pH is a vital factor in your garden. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can do everything right, tilling, fertilizing, planting, and protecting your blackberry plant, but if the pH is wrong, then you will get an underwhelming harvest at the end of summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After tilling and fertilizing your soil, leave it to rest for up to 4-weeks. This strategy gives the nutrients time to disperse evenly in the ground. After the resting period, test the p-H of the soil. Blackberries grow best in soils with a pH of 6.5 to 6.8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can test the pH by using a digital pH gauge that you stick into the soil. However, if you don\u2019t have a gauge on hand, then take a soil sample to your nearest plant nursery, and they should be able to test it for you while you wait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Crop Rotation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the growing season, after finishing your harvest, it\u2019s time to start the preparation for the coming spring season. Adjust your fertilizer levels to meet the required pH before winter arrives. This strategy gives the ground plenty of time to rest and recover from the growing season, replenishing the earth with nutrients. Should you follow this remineralizing strategy, you can expect bigger yields in the next season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s essential that you rotate your crops every year, as certain plants take more nutrients from the soil than others. It\u2019s vital that you avoid planting blackberries in areas of the garden where you have previously grown raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, eggplant, or peppers. These vegetables and fruits consume vast amounts of iron from the soil, and it may take an entire season to replenish levels of this mineral in the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These crops remove iron from the soil, which is a significant problem for new plants, but they also leave behind Phytophthora, Verticillium, and nematodes \u2013 soil pathogens that may affect the root structure of your next blackberry crop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Avoid These Common Mistakes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When planting season comes around, pick up a planting guide to ensure that you remember the steps involved with establishing your garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t plant your blackberry plant in too deep or shallow a hole, as it will affect the growth of the plant. Exposed roots will attract pests that burrow into the exposed roots, resulting in disease and low yields. Always pack the soil around the roots to give them a stable platform from which to grow and carry weight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Never plant your blackberry plant close to an invasive species or an unknown plant. Water your blackberry plant two to three times a week. Avoid overwatering every day., as the plant will develop faster if you allow the soil to dry out a bit between watering. Only fertilize the plant after it has established its root system. This strategy helps avoid fertilizer burn that can halt the growth of your blackberry plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n