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.

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