Blackberries are a rewarding and easy-to-grow fruit that can provide your garden with delicious, juicy berries year after year. Whether you have a large garden or a small patio, blackberry plants can thrive in a variety of conditions. With the right care, they will produce an abundance of berries that are perfect for eating fresh, making jams, or baking into tasty treats. In this guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about growing blackberry plants, from planting to harvesting.
Why Grow Blackberries?
There are plenty of reasons to grow blackberries at home:
- Easy to grow: Blackberry plants are hardy and adaptable, making them suitable for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.
- Bountiful harvests: With proper care, blackberry plants can produce large yields of fruit for several years.
- Versatile fruit: Blackberries are delicious fresh, and they’re also ideal for making jams, desserts, and even wine.
- Nutrient-rich: Blackberries are packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and fibre, making them a healthy addition to your diet.
Best Blackberry Varieties to Grow
There are several varieties of blackberries, each offering different characteristics in terms of size, flavour, and growth habit. Here are some of the best types to consider:
1. ‘Loch Ness’
This thornless variety produces large, juicy berries and is known for its heavy crops. It's ideal for small gardens or growing in containers.
2. ‘Triple Crown’
A thornless variety with sweet, firm berries. It’s perfect for eating fresh or freezing, and it produces a high yield of fruit in late summer.
3. ‘Navaho’
An upright, thornless variety that produces sweet, medium-sized berries. ‘Navaho’ is compact and easy to train, making it great for smaller gardens.
4. ‘Chester’
One of the most cold-hardy thornless varieties, ‘Chester’ offers high yields of firm, sweet berries in late summer.
5. ‘Black Butte’
A larger variety, producing extra-large berries with a rich, sweet flavour. It’s perfect for those who want show-stopping blackberries.
Where to Plant Blackberry Plants
Choosing the right location is key to growing healthy, productive blackberry plants.
1. Sunlight
Blackberries thrive in full sun, so choose a spot in your garden that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. The more sun they get, the better the quality and quantity of fruit.
2. Soil
Blackberries prefer well-drained, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5-7). If your soil is heavy or clay-based, consider improving drainage by adding organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure. For very heavy soils, planting in raised beds can be beneficial.
3. Spacing
Blackberries can grow vigorously, so ensure you give them enough space. For upright varieties, space plants about 1 metre apart. For trailing varieties, allow at least 1.5-2 metres between plants to accommodate their sprawling growth.
How to Plant Blackberry Plants
1. When to Plant
The best time to plant blackberry plants is in late winter or early spring when the soil is workable. Bare-root plants should be planted in early spring, while container-grown plants can be planted from late spring to early summer.
2. Preparing the Site
Prepare the planting area by removing any weeds and digging in plenty of organic matter to improve soil structure. Make sure the planting site is free of perennial weeds, as they can compete with your blackberry plants for nutrients and water.
3. Planting Blackberry Bushes
- Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root ball or bare-root plant.
- Position the plant so that the crown (where the stem meets the roots) is level with the soil surface.
- Backfill with soil, firming gently around the roots to eliminate air pockets.
- Water the plant thoroughly after planting.
Caring for Blackberry Plants
Once planted, blackberry plants require some basic care to ensure they thrive and produce plenty of fruit.
1. Watering
Blackberry plants need consistent moisture, especially during their first year of growth and when they are fruiting. Water deeply once a week, and increase watering during dry periods. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely.
2. Mulching
Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Organic mulches such as straw, wood chips, or compost are ideal.
3. Feeding
In early spring, apply a balanced fertiliser, such as fish, blood, and bone, to give the plants a boost. You can also top-dress with well-rotted manure or compost for extra nutrients.
4. Support and Training
Most blackberry varieties benefit from some form of support, especially the trailing types. Install a trellis, wire, or post system to train the canes and keep them off the ground, which helps improve airflow and makes harvesting easier.
- For trailing varieties, tie the canes to horizontal wires spaced about 45cm apart.
- For upright varieties, simply provide a single stake for support if needed.
Pruning Blackberry Plants
Pruning is essential for maintaining healthy blackberry plants and ensuring a good crop year after year.
1. Pruning First-Year Canes (Primocanes)
Blackberry plants grow in a two-year cycle. The first-year canes (called primocanes) should be left unpruned until they produce fruit the following year. After they bear fruit, they become floricanes and can be pruned back to ground level after harvesting.
2. Pruning Established Plants
Each year, remove the old, fruited canes to make room for new growth. Thin out any weak or damaged canes to improve air circulation and encourage strong, healthy canes that will produce fruit the following year.
Harvesting Blackberries
Blackberries are typically ready to harvest in mid to late summer, depending on the variety. Here’s how to tell when your blackberries are ripe and ready to pick:
- The berries should be fully black, shiny, and easily come away from the stem with a gentle tug.
- Avoid picking underripe berries, as they won’t ripen further after being harvested.
Harvest regularly to encourage more fruit production and to prevent overripe berries from spoiling on the plant.
Common Pests and Diseases
While blackberries are generally hardy, there are a few pests and diseases to watch out for:
1. Aphids
These small, sap-sucking insects can weaken the plant and cause distorted growth. Control aphids by spraying with insecticidal soap or by encouraging beneficial insects such as ladybirds.
2. Raspberry Beetle
This beetle lays its eggs on developing fruit, and the larvae feed inside the berries. Use organic pest control methods like sticky traps or neem oil to manage infestations.
3. Botrytis (Grey Mould)
Botrytis can affect blackberries during wet conditions, causing the fruit to rot. Improve air circulation by pruning and spacing plants appropriately, and avoid overhead watering.
Final Thoughts
Growing blackberries is an excellent way to enjoy fresh, home-grown fruit in your garden. With the right variety, planting location, and care, blackberry plants will reward you with years of delicious harvests. Whether you’re growing them in a small garden, a large allotment, or even in containers, blackberries are a versatile and easy-to-grow fruit that will bring both beauty and flavour to your outdoor space.
At Marshalls Garden, we have a great selection of blackberry plants to choose from. Visit us online to find the perfect variety for your garden and start growing your own juicy blackberries today!