Planting, Growing, And Harvesting Blackberry Bushes
It is good to have a landscape with flowering plants but my belief is it is better to have edible plants or plants that produce edible fruits. It is such a great feeling to take a walk in your garden and to be able to eat the fruits of your labor.
Sometimes we spend so much time in our gardens laboring away to ensure that our plants are well taken care of so it is only fair to be able to reap the reward to share with family and friends.
What I love about blackberries is that they are easy to grow which means you can harvest this fruit by following these steps that have proven to give good results. Blackberries are perennials that come back year after year. So you have a tree that can last a lifetime.
Blackberry Varieties
There are basically three varieties of blackberries.
- Trailing thornless blackberries
- Erect thorny blackberries
- Erect thornless blackberries
How to plant blackberries
- The location to plant blackberries should get at least 6 hours of full sunlight
- The soil ph should be acidic
- Blackberries should be planted in sandy soils
- Applying organic helps to condition the soil
- Apply about 2-3 inches of mulch to conserve water and suppress weeds
- keep plants moist but don’t overwater because waterlogged plants suffer from root rot
- Applying fertilizers such as 16-16-8 or 10-10-10 can give good results
- Installing trellises for your berry plant is beneficial and is an added bonus
Blackberry plant pests
Blackberries also have their share of pests problems but following these tips will bring insect pests under control.
- Aphids
- Raspberry borers
- Fruit Worms
- Mites
- Scales
Chemical control includes the use of insecticidal soap sprays and horticultural oil.
Biological control involves the release of beneficial insects in your garden. For more on how this is done follow the link. Releasing and keeping beneficial insects in our gardens.
Mechanical control is a process by which infected parts are removed or prune and disposed of properly.
Diseases of blackberries
Blackberry disease is caused by a fungus. This disease is known as grey mold that spreads rapidly and can infect the entire plant. Wet conditions encourage this disease.
What is also important to know is blackberries must be injured in order for this disease to take effect so be careful when handling plants not to cause injury. The signs of this disease are water-soaked spots that appear on the leaves. The spots also turn from grey to brown covering most of the leaves. When this happens the leaves will begin to wilt.
Fuzzy spores along with webbing may also appear on leaves. Eventually, the entire plant will be covered with this mass. Action should be taken immediately in order for the plant to recover.
Control methods
- Control methods involve removing the infected part with a hand pruner and properly disposing of them
- Sterilize your pruner as you make cuts
- The use of fungicides can help in bringing relief
Harvest time
Mature blackberries are firm and fat to plumpish deep black and detach easily when little pressure is applied. The harvest is great so be ready for a lot of picking. I am sure this is music to your ear.
Word of caution
- Ensure at all times that your blackberry bushes are getting proper air circulation by properly spacing and thinning out somewhat
- keep the entire garden area free of weeds and debris that encourages insects and disease
- Don’t overwater because this is also a breathing ground for disease
- Make sure that your plant is injury free at all times
The final word
This is an amazing fruit to add to your garden. I love garden designs that are not only created for beauty but a garden that produces edible fruits that are filled with vitamins and benefits the body in so many ways. The next time when deciding what should I add to my home garden blackberries is a fruit that will make an excellent choice.
About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.
When we bought our property a few years ago, there was a huge blackberry patch on one end of the yard. My husband made a couple of paths through them so that we could get all of the berries, and they are sooo good!
I put some red raspberries about 20 feet away, and they’re doing great. But I’ve now heard that you’re not supposed to put red raspberries next to blackberries. Do you know if that’s true and why?
Good morning Janelle it is always a pleasure to hear from you and thanks so much for your support. So good to know that you have these berries at your finger tips to enjoy. Now to your question. It is intresting to see how persons feel about planting these trees together.
A number of reason that I have come across in my research is that planting them to close can cause plants to transfer disease, they will also compete for water and fertilizer or nutrients that is found in the soil and because each plants has a difference preference when it comes to soil ph can having a nagative effect giving that plants should have their proper spacing.
Hope this helps. All the best to you my dear lady and have a wonderful day.
Norman, we meet again over blackberries this time instead of blueberries. I really like these berries too.
Unfortunately in Tasmania these are classified as a noxious weed. But there is still a lot growing around us.
We pick bucketfulls every year and my partner makes wine out of them. A very nice drop too I might add. When he is finished I make jam or jelly out of the rest. Blackberry and rhubarb jam is so very delicious.
If those are photos of your garden you are a great gardener.
Keep these informative articles coming.
Ciao
Helen
Hello my dear lady so good to hear from you again. These berries are pretty amazing with their vitamins and other benefits. Thanks for sharing with me and I am so happy that I could help. Have a good day.
Great timing with this post Norman!
I wish I had the room for blackberries and they are my favorite of the berries. I grew up on the Pacific coast and there are blackberries everywhere and they are almost considered a weed except that they are delicious.
My friend is about to plant some raspberries and they are similar in requirements, are they not?