Blackberries
Thornless blackberries are a great pick for home gardens growing well in zones 6-9. Blackberries are self pollinating but will produce more fruit if two varieties are planted. Thornless blackberries tend to be larger than other types.
Plant thornless blackberry plants approximately 3 to 5 feet apart in full sun in sandy loam amended with course sands or clays. A trellis is not required, but thornless blackberries do better with a support system. The plants grow as canes and can trail along the ground if support is not provided. Canes grow in season one and then fruit in season two. Once the fruit is harvested, the cane dies and a new cane grows in its place.
Quick Tips For Planting Blackberries:
- Plant in well drained soil. Plant 3 to 5 feet apart.
- Dig a hole slightly larger than the pot. Plat at the same level as in the pot.
- Mulch with pine bark mulch.
- Fertilize each spring with a balanced fertilizer such as 13-13-13 at a rate of about one tablespoon for newly planted small plants and increase as the plant matures.
- Blackberries are self-pollinating but will produce more fruit if at least two varieties are planted.
- Thornless blackberries produce fruit on two year old canes. First year canes can be tip-pruned when they are 3 to 4 feet tall by pinching off the tip or simply by cutting off the part of the cane over about 4 feet. This will cause the plant to bunch and be more erect making fruit easier to pick.
