If you love blackberries, you’ve probably considered growing them more than once. But do you know how to plant blackberries? It really is a very simple process. However, It is essential that we know what the optimal conditions are for these vegetables. Otherwise, most likely our cultivation will not be successful.
But do not worry. In this article we will mention which are the most cultivated varieties, how to plant blackberries And how long does it take to bear fruit? We will also talk about the optimal conditions and the monitoring that these plants need. In short: Everything you need to know to grow delicious blackberries! Don’t miss it.
Contents
The most cultivated varieties
Before explaining how to plant blackberries, let’s first see which varieties are most widely grown in the world. We can distinguish two groups: The thorny and the disarmed, which are without thorns:
- Spicy blackberries: Ashton Cross, Bailey, Bedford Giant, Cherokee, Dewberry, Himalaya, Loganberry, Runguer, Tupi, Youngberry, etc.
- Unarmed blackberries: Aurora, Black Diamond, Black Satin, Darrow, Dirksen, Evergreen, Loch Ness, Smoothstem, Thornfree, Thornless, etc.
It is also worth noting the existence of the Mediterranean blackberry, whose scientific name is Rubus ulmifolia L.. It differs mainly from the others by its ability to withstand much hotter climates, which we already imagine from its name. Therefore, if we live in the Mediterranean region, it is perhaps the most recommended blackberry for our cultivation.
How to Plant Blackberries: Tips
When it comes to planting blackberries, this task is not very complicated. Just dig a hole and put the plant in it. It must be said that it is a very invasive plant, so if we are not careful it will end up invading our entire garden or garden. For him, it is best to build a terrace to control its growth. Otherwise, planting blackberries is child’s play. However, for our cultivation to be successful, there are a number of aspects that we must take into account, such as location, climate, maintenance, etc.
Optimal conditions
Blackberries are used for humid and temperate climates. Therefore, they do not tolerate much heat and do not follow it. However, in order for them to ripen properly, they must go through a brief period of heat during the summer season. This is one of the main factors for obtaining greater production, together with the cold hours.
As for the floors, fortunately they are not very demanding. However, blackberries generally prefer to be moist and have good drainage. Additionally, it is recommended that the pH is neutral or slightly acidic. On the other hand, the Mediterranean blackberry tolerates alkaline soils with a little humidity much better. It must be said that the genus to which this plant belongs, called Ruby, is very extensive. It is therefore not surprising that climatic and environmental conditions vary considerably between species.
To help our blackberry grow and develop properly, we need to add extra organic matter to the soil. For this we can use compost or humus, both are excellent options to feed these vegetables.
followed
It is worth noting that blackberries, when growing in the wild, create a tangle of branches and stems. Indeed, these vegetables generate roots that grow from the stems once they touch the ground. This is why it is essential that we support the stems when growing blackberries. If they start to touch the ground, everything will eventually get tangled up and this will make harvesting the fruit considerably difficult, thus wasting a good part of the production.
Also for the same reason it is essential to prune the blackberry. It is usually done in the summer. The idea is to remove all the dry and lignified branches. These arise after fruiting. The best time to remove them is therefore just after harvesting the fruits. It is also strongly recommended to prune in winter, called topping. This basically serves to help with early breakouts. These shoots will be the ones that will bear fruit next season.
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Thornless Blackberry Care
Another fundamental aspect of the maintenance of any plant is irrigation. In the case of the blackberry, this It should be rare but common. The root system of these plants does not go very deep into the soil. In fact, it usually remains at a very superficial level. For this reason, it is essential not to flood the soil, so as not to drown the roots, and to water with little water but more frequently. This aspect becomes even more important during the flowering and fruit setting season, as usually happens in fruit crops. The best option we have for blackberries is to use a drip irrigation system.
Regarding the multiplication of this vegetable, this does not suppose any problem, as you can already imagine. Rather quite the opposite. However, if we want to reproduce our blackberry, it’s as simple as cutting off the protruding stems and planting them in the ground. They will soon put down roots, given their extraordinary abilities. With a little patience and irrigation, we’ll have another blackberry in no time.
How long does it take for a blackberry to fruit?
Now that we know how to plant blackberries, it’s time to answer the big question: when will it bear fruit? While it is true that blackberries are very similar to raspberries, there is one very important difference. While raspberries can be picked twice a year, blackberries have only one annual harvest.
Luckily, we won’t have to wait long for our first blackberries, as this plant has early production capacity. While fruit trees typically take between five and seven years to reach peak production, blackberries do so as early as the second year. The season of the year when we can enjoy its delicious fruits is in summer.
I recommend that you try growing blackberries yourself if you live somewhere with the weather permitting, of course. In addition to being very pretty, the fruits are delicious.