{"id":2507,"date":"2019-06-12T07:34:32","date_gmt":"2019-06-12T07:34:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/?p=2507"},"modified":"2020-01-22T09:37:43","modified_gmt":"2020-01-22T09:37:43","slug":"14-steps-for-planting-harvesting-blackberry-plant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/14-steps-for-planting-harvesting-blackberry-plant\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Steps for Planting & Harvesting Blackberry Plant"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Blackberries are one of the most widely cultivated types of berry that can be found throughout the world, and they can make a wonderful addition to your diet in everything from puddings through to jams and preserves.
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They\u2019re one of the best superfoods that nature has to offer, and they\u2019re much higher in vitamins like vitamin C than even fruits like oranges. But the best thing about them is this: You don\u2019t have to go to the store and buy them, especially with the prices of blackberries on the increase.
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Blackberry bushes can grow happily under the right conditions, and you can harvest for a good ten to twenty years from a plant that\u2019s treated right and well taken care of. They\u2019re not as hard to plant as new gardeners might imagine, and they trail happily along a trellis or path.
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Here are 8 steps for planting & harvesting blackberry plants.
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Step 1: Understand Your Type of Berry<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most important things for first-time berry gardeners to remember is that there are several different varieties of berry out there, and each of these will have their own nuances and conditions they prefer \u2013 but at the same time, it\u2019s not nearly as hard as you think to figure out the specifics of which type of berry you have.
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When it comes to berry bushes, there are generally considered to be seven types of which blackberries are just one of them. This is further split into the different types of blackberries, of which there are considered to be three main types.
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There are erect thorny blackberries, erect thornless blackberries and trailing thornless blackberries: Each requires different spacing, depth and each will trail along a frame in a different way.
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The rest of the factors for growing blackberries, luckily for first-time and newer gardeners, are mostly the same for all of the different types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Step 2: Fertilize the Soil<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Proper fertilization of the soil is one of the most important factors that will influence how your plants grow \u2013 especially when it comes to blackberry plants, it\u2019s vital to get the nutrient content of the soil right from the start.
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The first step to deciding where your blackberry plants should grow is to prepare the soil: Loosen the soil with a garden fork and make sure that you remove any seeds, stalks, and rocks from the soil until you have a smoother consistency.
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The next step is actually preparing the soil for planting or transplanting blackberries. They prefer soil with a moderate pH level (usually between five and seven), and will grow best in loose, sandier soil.
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If the soil you have isn\u2019t suitable to start off with, mix in organic-rich compost (which you can make yourself at home or purchase \u2013 just remember to check the pH levels after adjustments). Then, mix in some sand before planting.
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Step 3: Planning and Spacing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Planning is one of the most important parts for anyone who wants to start their garden, and yet it\u2019s one of the most common things for novice and first-time gardeners to overlook when they plant something. If you want to do it right the first time and avoid any unnecessary transplantation of your plants later on, do some basic planning before you start planting anything \u2013 even just a rough scribble of your garden on a piece of paper is enough to start the planning process.
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Many varieties of blackberry plant out there will prefer to trail along a trellis for their later growth stages, and they\u2019re pretty adaptable and can be woven through the trellis as they grow.
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Other varieties of blackberry plant (mostly the non-trailing varieties mentioned at the beginning of this article) will instead form a bushier, stockier plant.
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Spacing is essential, and for blackberries you should space them at least four to six feet apart for larger varieties, and at least six to eight for the larger, trailing types.
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Step 4: When to Plant<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Planting something new isn\u2019t nearly as hard as beginning gardeners might imagine, and getting a blackberry plant to thrive is much easier than you might have thought at first. Once you have spacing and soil conditions right, you\u2019ll have to think about when to place your plants in the ground \u2013 and this is one factor that can and will vary greatly depending on which climate you find yourself in.
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For blackberries (and most other types of berries) you want to plant them nearing fall, and sometimes for colder climates spring can be best for the initial planting phase.
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If there\u2019s one thing that blackberry plants don\u2019t like, it\u2019s frost and cold \u2013 and planting at the right time ensures that your plants are able to stand up against the cold when it hits. Plant at the wrong time and it can take just one frosty morning to undo weeks worth of planting process, so make sure that you do it right.
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Step 5: Watering Instructions for Blackberries<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Watering is one of the most essential things for any plant to survive \u2013 and keep thriving for years to come \u2013 and gardeners are often surprised to find out that they don\u2019t need to water nearly as often as they should. Do you believe that you should water your plants at least once to twice per day? For hotter areas, this can ring true \u2013 but for most areas that don\u2019t get as much light or heat, watering twice per day can overwhelm especially younger plants.
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Water at least once per week to keep your blackberry plants happy, and adjust this as necessary according to where you live. Hotter climates will need increased watering, though before the sun peaks or you risk a \u201cmagnifying glass\u201d effect which could cause a lot of damage to new plant growth.
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Scale down watering if the soil remains wet, or if the rain starts to pick up.
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Step 6: Support or Not?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a good reason why the first step to planting your first blackberry plant is establishing which of the three types of blackberries you have \u2013 and this will become pretty obvious if you\u2019ve miscalculated within a few weeks. Blackberries are one of the many trailing flowering plants which like to \u201cfollow\u201d something along with their growth such as a trellis \u2013 and if you have a specifically trailing variety of blackberry plant, they\u2019re going to require this support.
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This means that a lot of people will erect a simple structure for the plant to grow along, and eventually weave the plant throughout this structure.
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Not all types of blackberry plants are in need of this support to grow: The bushier types that grow closer to the ground can do without it, but can also sometimes do with a support structure to lift it slightly off the ground \u2013 it can help with issues when it comes to excess moisture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Step 7: Viruses Affecting Blackberries<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pests and viruses are two of the biggest common fears for any gardener, although with a garden that\u2019s properly maintained it shouldn\u2019t become a problem \u2013 and you shouldn\u2019t have to resort to the majority of chemical pesticides available on the market in order to keep your garden healthy.
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Ideally, choose a section of your garden to ward off pests and plant appropriate things (such as mint) here, which acts as a natural anti-insect barrier. Many people will plant things like mint and catnip at the very barriers of their garden to ensure that any nasty pests are kept away from their garden.
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Additionally, you can make a simple bug spray by making a tea from the leaves of the same plants (such as mint or mustard leaves) and treat plants with this rather than chemical pesticides.
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Watch for mosaic virus (caused and spread by aphids) that commonly affects raspberries as well as raspberry bushy dwarf virus.
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Step 8: Pruning for Berries<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pruning is one of the most important things for anyone who wants to grow flowering plants like berries or roses; if you don\u2019t do regular pruning, then the plant is wasting the majority of its energy on channeling to long-dead leaves and you won\u2019t have nearly as fruitful of a flowering phase \u2013 and sometimes overgrowth in some plants can become bad enough to choke the rest of the plant.
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Ideally, berries should be pruned properly once or twice a year \u2013 and what you do throughout the rest of the year really only counts as maintenance. When berries are on the plant, get to them at least within four days to avoid bugs or birds getting to the berries first.
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Also remember that not all bugs are inherently bad; many can live in perfect co-operation with your garden without ever destroying your plants. Finding worms or ladybugs in your garden is a good sign rather than a bad one! Leave them if you find them while pruning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Step 9: Pests Affecting Blackberries
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Unfortunately, blackberries are affected by many pests. Keep an eye on your plants for the following insects that could devastate your blackberry patch.
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Spider mites\u2013Also known as two-spotted mites, these bugs infest the plant, spinning a web around the fruit and leaves of the bush. Spider mites such as the sap out of the plant, resulting in wilting and yellowing of the leaves.
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Dried fruit beetles\u2013These pests love blackberries and raspberries. Adults are black or brown in color, and around 3-mm in length.
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Looper caterpillars\u2013These pests are the larvae of apple moths. Expect caterpillars to gorge themselves on the fruit and leaves of the plant.
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Earwigs\u2013You\u2019ll identify these bugs by looking for a pair of forceps on the head of the insect.
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Plague thrip\u2013These pests suck the sap out of all of the parts on your blackberry plants, resulting in yellowing and wilting of the foliage, as well as under-developed fruit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 10: Growing Blackberries in Containers
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Blackberry plants do well outdoors in the veggie patch, and they are also excellent for greenhouse and container growing as well. Blackberries require sufficient soil and space to spread roots. Therefore, we recommend you do with nothing smaller than a 5-gallon pot when planting your blackberry.
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Material pots are an excellent option for blackberries, as the porous side-walls of the container allow for optimal airflow to the roots, accelerating growth. Start your seedlings in a modular tray, and when they develop three-sets of leaves, transplant them to the material pots. Pots do well in greenhouses where you can control the climate.
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Blackberries are a water-intensive plant, and they need moisture in the soil throughout the growing season. While blackberries don\u2019t enjoy having \u201cwet-feet,\u201d you need to ensure the roots have enough moisture in the growing medium to prevent them from drying out. Leaving your blackberries for too long in-between waterings results in the development of discolored, under-sized and dry berries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 11: Companion Planting
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When planting your blackberries, we recommend that you add other berry varieties as companion plants. Raspberries and strawberries make excellent companions for blackberries, and it allows you to grow a berry medley that will taste fantastic when mixed in a smoothie or served with organic Greek yogurt and granola for a healthy breakfast.
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Raspberries also grow on long canes that are very similar to blackberries. Blackberries only get their unique coloring in the final stages of fruiting, so make sure you mark your bushes so that you know which one is which, avoiding confusion with your berry plants.
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It\u2019s vital that you get your spacing right when planting your companions. You will need around two to three feet of spacing between the base of the plants to avoid the roots growing into each other. This type of spacing also allows for optimal airflow around the base and roots of the plant, as well as helping you to avoid over-crowding that may lead to the development of disease in your plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 12: Harvesting Your Blackberries
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Blackberry plants do not yield a fruit crop in the first year. The second-year will see your plants produce mediocre berries, with the real fruiting occurring in the third season and beyond. Blackberries are perennial plants, meaning that they continue to bloom year after year.
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When it comes time to harvest your blackberries, we recommend that you wait until mid-July before you start to examine the berries for ripeness. Some other varieties may be ready sooner than this, so check with your seed bank for harvest dates when purchasing your seeds.
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Check 0on your plant two to three times a week during harvest season, and harvest as the berries start to turn from red to black in color. Blackberries spoil on the vine very quickly if you don\u2019t pick them in time, so make sure you regularly check in on your fruiting plants. Remember to use gloves when harvesting berries from thorny varieties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 13: Post-Harvest Care of Your Plants
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After you finish harvesting the berries, there is no need to dig up the plant and move it to a different area. However, there is a list of critical tasks that you must complete before the winter sets in for the season. Pruning is a necessity to ensure that your plant produces an optimal yield in the coming season.
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Prune all of the canes that produced fruit in the season. These canes will not produce berries anymore, and by pruning them, you give the other canes extra energy they need to grow and fruit. Removing the floricanes is best for both trailing and erect blackberry species.
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If you\u2019re growing trailing blackberries, then leaves the strongest looking six or eight canes to produce fruit in the following season, and prune the rest. Train the remaining canes through a trellis to support the growth and weight of the plant in the next season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 14: Storing Your Blackberries
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After harvesting your blackberries, we recommend that you don\u2019t wash them, or the fruit will turn limp and mushy. Instead, give your berries a rinse on the vine a few days before harvest, allowing them to dry out before you start picking.
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After picking your berries, we recommend you place them in a plastic container lined with kitchen towels. Blackberries don\u2019t last very long after picking, so you will have to consume them within two to three days, or they will turn mushy.
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You can freeze blackberries after picking by adding a single layer of the fruit to a tray and then freezing them to enhance shelf life. After freezing, store them in resealable Ziploc bags in the freezer. Frozen berries will keep in optimal conditions for up to 10-months.
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Use the frozen berries in sherbet, as an addition to ice cream, or in smoothies. If you plant other companion berries, then make a frozen berry delight using frozen yogurt and your berry trio.
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