Contents
Irrigation
Blackberry can be grown without special attention from the point of view of irrigation. First, we will have to verify that the normal seasonal atmospheric precipitation is sufficient. Otherwise it will be necessary to intervene manually, with the watering can if you only have one plant or with the help of a fixed plant if you have grown more blackberry plants. In this case, the use of sprinkler irrigation systems is not recommended. A drip system is much more suitable for the blackberry, with irrigation given to the base of the plant, avoiding the direct jet of water on the leaves. In summer we will obviously have to intensify the irrigation interventions reaching the frequency of 2-3 weekly waterings if the season is particularly hot.
Cultivated
It is very rare to plant blackberries from seed. Generally, a plant is bought from a nurseryman who can also advise us on the most suitable variety for the growing area and our needs, upright or bushy, with or without thorns. As for the graft, we will adjust it according to the region and the climate. Very young seedlings planted in the fall could be irretrievably destroyed if temperatures drop well below freezing. For this reason, in the coldest places, it is strongly recommended to opt for the transplanting carried out in the spring, so that the vegetative resumption takes place in a favorable context. We will place the plants at least 2m apart. The blackberry plantIt needs a space large enough to be able to grow without obstacles. A support can then be placed near the stem or preferably a trellis system for the entire row of blackberry plants.
Field
The most suitable soil for growing blackberries is slightly acidic. For small crops, we can buy a product for acidophilic plants, combining it with the universal common soil, to obtain a pH slightly lower than the neutral value, optimal for this type of plant. Tillage should be done before planting. For example, having chosen to transplant the mulberry tree in the spring, we can hoe and dig the ground the previous fall. Then we will fertilize with mature manure and organic compost. With a rake we will distribute the fertilizing substances and let them be completely absorbed. Later you can dig the hole that will house the bramble plant, taking care to bury it slightly below the collar by adding a little earth.
Mulberry: climate and diseases
The blackberry plantit grows, develops and yields excellent crops in a state where the summer is hot but the rainfall rate is sufficient to guarantee the necessary water supply. It would be better if the winter were also mild, even if the mulberry tree tolerates short periods when the temperatures drop to around zero. The ideal exposure would be full sun, where direct light reaches for most daily hours. Blackberry can get sick due to attacks of insects, mites and parasites, or due to fungal and mold diseases. In garden stores, it is possible to buy specific pesticides and antifungals, taking care to use them only when strictly necessary. It is a good practice, if we notice mold and rot both in the plant and in the fruits,