Types Of Blackberries To Grow At Home
There are many varieties of blackberries to choose from, coming in different sizes – from large vigorous plants down to modern compact varieties ideal for small backyard ideas. Different varieties can also have varying cropping times, from early summer into fall, and there are also thornless types to make pruning and picking less of a chore. When looking to purchase blackberries, you will often see them grouped depending on their growth habit and whether they have thorns.
Navaho Thornless Blackberry
Apache Blackberry Bush
Prime-Ark Freedom Blackberry
WHERE TO PLANT BLACKBERRIES
Blackberries prosper in the sun and an ideal location would get at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. The more sunlight you can provide the plants, the better your crop will be. In hotter US hardiness zones, blackberries can tolerate some shade, but elsewhere you want to provide them a spot in full sun.
HOW TO PLANT BLACKBERRIES
Blackberry plants are often available to purchase from garden centers, nurseries, or online retailers as either bare-root or container-grown plants. Bare-root plants are usually available during dormancy from fall to early spring, while blackberries grown in containers are available year-round. The ideal time to plant bare-root blackberries and container-grown blackberries comes in early spring – when the plants are dormant, the weather is cool, and the ground tends to be moist. Planting in fall is possible in warmer climates, but spring is recommended as cold winter temperatures can damage newly planted shrubs. Plant container-grown plants into large holes at the same height they were in the pot, while a hole for bare-root blackberries needs to be big enough to accommodate the root system and the roots want to be around 2-3 inches below the surface. Backfill the soil into the holes and gently press it down so the blackberry is firmly planted, then water well.
HOW TO GROW BLACKBERRIES - CARING FOR BUSHES
Blackberries are vigorous and fast-growing plants that will likely need a trellis or structure to be trained to grow on. Erect types can support themselves, but trailing blackberries need support to keep them under control and growing upright, while it can also help to make harvesting easier. Watering is a key maintenance task, especially during the plant’s first season. Keep a regular eye on when to water plants and especially take care to keep the soil moist in summer.
HOW TO HARVEST BLACKBERRIES
Blackberries are ready to harvest from mid-summer to early fall, depending on the variety and climate. The berries ripen over three weeks or more and it can be beneficial to use netting to protect the fruits from birds as they develop. Ripe fruits are fully black, plump and juicy. They will detach easily from the plant when they are ripe and should be carefully picked. Harvest the fruits regularly as they ripen to get them at the supreme sweetness and they will stay fresh for a few days after picking. The fruits can be frozen or turned into jams or jellies.
HOW TO GROW BLACKBERRIES IN A POT
Blackberries can be grown in large pots in a container garden if you want to grow the crop on a patio or deck. Smaller compact varieties are best suited, however, all varieties can be grown in pots as container-growing will restrict their growth.