Selecting and Caring for Blackberry Plants
Blackberries
By Cindy King, CPH, The Mill
Blackberry Plants are available only at The Mill of Kingstown
Blackberry plants can provide a delicious harvest of fruit for us and wildlife from July through September.
Each plant The Mill carries is labeled with name and we carry many varieties including-
- Prime Ark 45 - late
- Prime Ark Freedom – thorn less – early-mid
- Chester – latest
- Arapaho – thorn less, early
- Natchez - early
- Triple Crown – late
Early and Late indicate fruiting times
- Early- very late July into August.
- Late – August into early Sept.
Plant in well-draining soil with lots of organics. Space 3-4 feet apart and trellis on wire or wood for support. Keep weeds out of garden as they compete for nutrition. Water if necessary at ground level.
Fruit is produced on 2-year canes. Once planted let canes grow for 2 years.
In the third early spring cut canes to 3-4 feet and lateral branches to 12 inches leaving 5-6 buds on each one. This is how you would continue to prune your Blackberries. At any time, you can remove damaged canes.
Fertilize yearly in early spring with a broadcast of 10-10-10 around each plant.
Blackberries can get wilt so never plant them near any plants that have been affected. If you develop wilt destroy the plant.
