Blackberries

BLACKBERRIES

BLACKBERRIES
Rubus spp

No more prickers!! New thornless Blackberries developed by the University of Arkansas mean you can harvest big juicy berries, perfect for fresh eating, pies or cobblers, and never get stuck by the nasty thorns! The vines are erect (grow upright) and the plants are very easy to grow.

Blackberries are also a great attractant for wildlife. Can begin to bear fruit in 2 yrs.

Well-drained, sandy, rich soils are preferred. Brambles do not tolerate flooding and may grow poorly in mucky soils unless planted in raised mounds. Elderberries on the other hand love wetlands. All berry plants will grow more vigorously and produce more fruit in full sun.

Brambles prefer slightly acid soil (pH 6.0-6.5), but soils of up to moderate alkalinity are tolerated. Enrich the bed with 1 to 3 inches of aged manure or mushroom compost. Beds may be mulched with organic mulches like hay, oat straw, bark and leaves.

Planting
Plant erect varieties at least 2 to 3 feet apart in the row with 15 feet between rows. Trailing varieties need to be spaced 10 foot apart in rows 15 foot apart. Space Elderberry plants at least 5 feet apart so they will have room to spread. Before planting make sure the plants are well watered and the soil in your planting hole is not excessively dry. Remove the plant from the pot and place in the planting hole. To avoid burying too deep, make sure plant is positioned with the top most roots at the soil line. If plants have a tightly packed root system gently work the root ball loose. Water thoroughly to settle the roots and eliminate air pockets.

Fertilization

Do NOT put fertilize in the planting hole. Only apply fertilizer if it is the correct time of year.
Blackberries do not require much fertilizer in most soils in N. Florida. Blackberry roots are located close to the surface, and excess fertilizer can burn leaves or even kill plants.
The type of fertilizer you choose may be chemical or organic. Make sure that the fertilizer contains iron, zinc, manganese, magnesium, molybdenum, copper and boron. These minor elements are very important to plants and most soils are low in these elements. You can use Espoma Citrus Tone Organic fertilizer. Application rates vary according to age of plant. Be sure to spread the fertilizer evenly over the plants root zone. Water or rake in. In Zone 8 through 9 fertilize 3 times each year in late February, late May and late July/early August. For plants further north (Zones 6-7), fertilize 2 times each year in March and June. Never fertilize after August (June in Zones 6-7) as this will promote new growth late in the year which will be subject to freeze damage.

Water
The first weeks are the critical time for the establishment of a new plant. Water every other day for the first week after they are set out. After plants are established, water thoroughly twice a week on light soils and once a week on clay soils. Soak the entire root system deeply, this usually takes 40-50 minutes. Be sure to mulch your plants with 2 to 3 inches of hay, bark or leaves. Pull mulch a couple of inches away from the stems for good air circulation. Mulch will help hold water in the soil as well as add organic content to your soil. Water regularly, especially during dry periods. Fruit may drop prematurely if insufficiently irrigated during dry spells.

Pruning

Erect blackberries stiff, shorter canes that come from the crown and from root suckering (often forming a hedgerow).

Erect blackberries benefit from summer pruning. Remove the top one to two inches of new primocanes
(a new cane on a bramble fruit (as a blackberry or raspberry) that will flower and fruit the following year).
when they are four feet tall. This causes the canes to branch, increasing next year’s yields. Plants will require several pruning sessions to tip each cane as it reaches the four foot height. Primocanes (suckers) that grow outside the hedgerow should be regularly removed. In the winter, remove the dead floricanes (old fruiting canes) from the hedgegrow. Also shorten the lateral branches to about 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 feet.

If you have primocane-fruiting erect blackberries, cut all canes off just above the ground in the late winter for the best fruit. In the summer, when the primocanes are 3 1/2 feet tall, remove the top 6 inches. The primocanes will branch, thereby producing larger yields in the fall.

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Products 1-4 of 4

Arapaho Blackberry

Availability: Out of Stock

Price: $10.95

Item #: Arapaho Blackberry - Developed by the University of Arkansas, this thornless blackberry bears juicy berries on erect canes and is very productive. Developed by the University of Arkansas, this thornless blackberry bears juicy berries on erect canes and is very productive. Fruits in July-Aug. 350-400 Chill hours, Zones 5-8. Virtually...
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Natchez Blackberry

Availability: Pick-up Only

Price: $10.95

Item #: Natchez Blackberry - Natchez is a new low chill thornless variety from the University of Arkansas breeding program. Excellent flavor, large berries. Ripens in mid June-July. 300 Chill Hours, Zones 6-9.Available at farm...
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Navaho Blackberry

Availability: Out of Stock

Price: $10.95

Item #: Navaho Blackberry - Developed by the University of Arkansas, this thornless blackberry bears medium sized and very flavorful berries on erect canes and is very productive. Fruits in July-August. 800 Chill hours, Zones...
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Ouachita Blackberry

Availability: Pick-up Only

Price: $10.95

Item #: Ouachita Blackberry - The newest large, sweet thornless blackberry bred by the University of Arkansas. It has excellent flavor and is very prolific. Upright canes. Ripens in mid-June-July. Low chill - 300 chill hours,...
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Products 1-4 of 4