If you like blackberries, surely you have already considered growing them more than once. But do you know how to plant blackberry? It really is a very simple process. Nevertheless, It is essential that we know what the optimal conditions are for these vegetables. If not, most likely our cultivation will not be successful.
But don’t worry. In this article we will mention which are the most cultivated varieties, how to plant blackberry And how long does it take to bear fruit? We will also talk about the optimal conditions and aftercare that these plants require. In short: Everything you need to know to grow delicious blackberries! Do not miss it.
The most cultivated varieties
Before explaining how to plant blackberries, let’s first see which varieties are most widely grown worldwide. We can distinguish between two groups: The thorny and the unarmed, which are spineless:
- Prickly 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 ulmifolius L.. It differs mainly from the others by being able to withstand much hotter climates, which we can already imagine from its name. Therefore, if we live in the Mediterranean area, this is perhaps the most recommended blackberry for our cultivation.
How to plant blackberry: Tips
When it comes to planting blackberries, this task is not very complicated. We simply have to dig a hole and introduce the plant there. 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. Thus, it is best to build a terrace to control its growth. Otherwise, planting blackberries is a piece of cake. 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 to humid and temperate climates. Therefore, they do not tolerate much heat nor did they follow it. However, in order for them to mature properly, they need to go through a brief period of heat during the summer season. This is one of the main factors to achieve greater production, along with the hours of cold.
As for the soil, luckily they are not very demanding. However, blackberries generally prefer to be moist and have good drainage. In addition, it is recommended that the pH is neutral or slightly acidic. On the other hand, the Mediterranean blackberry supports alkaline soils with a little moisture much better. It should be said that the genus to which this plant belongs, called Rubusis very extensive. Therefore, it is not surprising that climatic and environmental conditions vary greatly depending on the species.
To help our blackberry grow and develop properly, we must add an extra organic matter to the soil. For this we can use compost o humus, both are excellent options to nourish these vegetables.
Aftercare
It should be noted that blackberries, when they grow wild, create a tangle of branches and stems. This is because these vegetables generate roots that sprout from the stems once they touch the ground. That is why it is essential that we support the stems when we grow blackberries. If they start to touch the ground, everything will end up getting entangled and it will make harvesting the fruits considerably difficult, thus wasting a good part of the production.
For the same reason also it is essential to prune the blackberry. It is usually done in summer. The idea is to remove all dry and lignified branches. These arise after having fructified. So the best time to remove them is right after the harvest of the fruits. It is also highly recommended to carry out a pruning in winter, known as topping. This basically serves to help early breakouts. These shoots will be the ones that bear fruit in the next season.
