What are common mistakes to avoid with blackberries?
Written by
Tina Carter
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Avoiding mistakes when growing blackberries will result in healthier plants and a greater harvest. Many beginner growers make the mistake of not having proper spacing or preparing the ground before planting. In contrast, others incorrectly prune their plants or fail to actively monitor them for pests. Such mistakes can significantly reduce yield and, in some cases, lifespan.
Planting Mistakes
- Crowding plants prevents air circulation increasing disease risk
- Planting crowns too deep causes root rot and plant death
- Using diseased nursery stock introduces incurable viruses
Soil & Nutrition Errors
- Neglecting pH testing leads to nutrient lockout
- Over-fertilizing produces excessive leaves instead of fruit
- Using fresh manure burns roots and introduces pathogens
Maintenance Pitfalls
- Pruning floricanes instead of primocanes eliminates next year's fruit
- Allowing weeds to compete reduces berry size and quantity
- Ignoring early pest signs leads to major infestations
Prevent disease issues by spacing plants to allow for good air movement and watering at the soil level, not on foliage. Remove fallen leaves. All of these prevent the conditions that allow fungal diseases to begin manifesting and will save your harvest.
Correct timings for pruning are crucial for production. Prune in the fall, and you will induce new growth that is susceptible to winter kill; do not prune in the fall. Summer tip 4 feet primocanes. Remove fruiting floricanes. Dormant prune in late winter for best results.
Avoid over-fertilization, which produces abundant leafy growth and not fruit. Use balanced fertilizers only in spring! Switch to a high-potassium formula during the flowering stage. After harvest, always apply compost instead of fertilizer, especially chemical fertilizers.
Start pest management right away. Use bird netting before the berries ripen. Use rings of diatomaceous earth for ants. Release ladybugs for aphids. When monitoring, small issues do not develop into catastrophes.
Read the full article: How to Grow Blackberries Successfully at Home
