Are blackberries easy to grow for beginners?
Written by
Tina Carter
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Successful blackberries require all of their basic needs met. Full sun: full, blazing sun for at least six hours per day. Acidic soil with pH levels from about 5.6 to 6.5 (thatʼs where the crops can best take up the nutrients). Pruning and trailing to keep the plants productive and manageable year after year.
Sunlight & Placement
- Choose south-facing locations with maximum sun exposure
- Avoid areas shaded by buildings or trees during peak hours
- Morning sun helps dry dew reducing fungal disease risk
Soil Preparation
- Test soil pH annually using home testing kits
- Amend alkaline soils with elemental sulfur gradually
- Add organic compost for improved drainage in clay soils
Pruning Fundamentals
- Remove dead canes each early spring before new growth
- Cut fruited canes to ground level after harvest
- Maintain 4-6 healthy canes per plant for optimal yield
Thornless varieties make it easier, especially for new gardeners; if you're to be wandering down other paths, "Ouachita" has exceptional disease resistance, "Natchez" produces huge sweet berries, and both tolerate errors of watering. "Thornless" is much more forgiving than the standard thorny bramble.
Choose your site wisely, and you will avoid most of the problems that plague strawberry growers. Avoid low spots where frost collects. Space your plants far enough apart to ensure good air circulation. Plan to install drip irrigation so that the plants receive sufficient water, and you will find that disease pressure is greatly reduced and your care is simplified.
Start with certified disease-free plants from reputable nurseries to avoid introducing incurable viruses to your garden. Prepare planting holes at least twice the width of the root balls you're planting in the ground. Mulch with straw, not wood chips. Patience, your first harvest will come in year two.
Read the full article: How to Grow Blackberries Successfully at Home
