Blackberries Growing tips
for trailing and erect blackberry canes
 Generally, the trailing-type
blackberries ripen earlier than the erect type and the fruit clusters of
the trailing-type are smaller and more open. There are basically two varieties
of blackberries that you can grow in your fruit orchard. The differences
are based more in the vines than the fruit.
The erect and trailing
typesŠ The first variety of blackberry is the erect type which has
arched, self-supporting canes. The second variety of blackberry, the trailing
type, has canes which are not self-supporting and must be tied on a trellis.
Generally, the trailing-type blackberries ripen earlier than the erect
type and the fruit clusters of the trailing-type are smaller and more
open.
Recommended varietiesŠ
Erect type blackberries include: Brazos, Comanche, Cheyenne, Cherokee,
Womack, Brison and Rosburogh. Recommended varieties of trailing type include:
Boysenberry and Youngberry. There are several varieties of thornless blackberries,
but they're usually of the trailing type and are commonly less productive
than the thorny varieties.
Planting methodsŠ
You can plant blackberries by using either root cuttings or transplants.
Root cuttings are more economical. However, transplants produce berries
about a year earlier than root cuttings. You should plant blackberries
on four-foot squares or in a hedge fashion on rows spaced six feet apart.
A well prepared plant bed is essential for blackberries. Deep cultivation
and turning under one or two cover crops prior to planting improves the
physical condition of the soil. Root cuttings should be planted horizontally
four-to-six inches deep. The deeper planting should be in sandy soils
while the more shallow planting should be in heavier soils. When you use
plants, cut the canes back to six inches from the ground. This six-inch
top will make handling easier. Don't expect any blackberries from root
cuttings until the year after they're planted. Pruning is a simple but
necessary task. Blackberries must be pruned every year, normally in June,
immediately after they have produced berries. Pruning is simply a matter
of removing the old canes that bore the fruit and leaving new growth,
which had no berries. The old growth will serve no purpose. It may create
insect and disease problems. Some people find it easier to mow down all
the vines to within several inches of the ground after the berries have
been picked. New growth is then allowed to come back from the roots for
next year. This technique will not yield as many berries the following
year. If you prune out only the old vines, the remaining vines will have
an advantage over the vines that have been mowed. For more information
on blackberries contact your local county Extension office.
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