Secrets of taming the capricious blackberry

Blackberry is a shrub with a perennial root system and two-year-old shoots. After the shoot "bears fruit", its life cycle ends and it must be pruned. Blackberries are a delicious berry, but many gardeners avoid them because they believe that they require very careful maintenance. Of course, blackberries have their own characteristics of growing blackberries, but it is not at all difficult to observe them.

How to choose a place for blackberries?

Blackberries prefer to grow in sunny places, however, partial shade is also suitable for it. It's just that in well-lit areas, it will give a sweeter berry, which, moreover, will ripen a little earlier.

For growing blackberries, you should not choose places where raspberries and strawberries used to grow. Roses, including rose hips, will not be the best neighbors for her. The pests of these crops are the same, they can go to young seedlings and destroy them.

The soil for growing blackberries is well-drained, slightly acidic or neutral. It should also be considered whether the groundwater is deeply buried. If they are on the surface, then during the cold period the plant will simply freeze.

How to plant blackberries correctly?

The best time to plant blackberries is in spring. A pit 70 cm deep and 60 cm in diameter is prepared for a seedling. It is filled with fertile soil mixed with manure, superphosphates and potassium sulfate. The branches of the seedling are shortened to 20 cm, and the damaged roots are removed.

Raspberries are placed in the pit so that the root collar is at the level of the soil. Then the seedlings are watered and mulched with compost.

Growing blackberries and proper berry care

Fertile soil does not need special feeding. In the first few years, it will be enough to only apply fertilizers containing nitrogen. Subsequently, in the spring and autumn, the blackberries will need fertilization.

The bushes tolerate drought perfectly, since their roots go deep enough. However, if they are not watered, then a good harvest will not work.

Today, many winter-hardy varieties of this berry have been bred, which, even in the middle zone of our country, do not need to be covered. These are Agavam, Eldorado and Ufa local. However, in particularly harsh conditions, even they will freeze if not covered. For shelter, sawdust, non-woven material or spruce branches are suitable.

Growing blackberries: do you need a support for the berries?

For some varieties of blackberries, support is required. For erect stakes, stakes are suitable, which are placed in the center or edges of the bush. If the variety is creeping, then you can use trellis 2 m high, with 3 horizontal wires. When using a trellis, the care of the plant will be the same as for a regular bush. The only difference will be that during the autumn preparation, the bush is removed from the trellis and bent to the soil. The plant is then covered with a non-woven material such as spunbond.

Thus, blackberries do not require troublesome maintenance. Caring for grown blackberries is necessary for it in the same way as for conventional crops. In addition, this berry practically does not get sick, and also tolerates insect attacks. Rot on them can appear only in very wet weather when in contact with the soil. If we take into account all the features of caring for blackberries, then it will not take much time, but blackberries will delight you with a good rich harvest.