Blackberries & Raspberries:
General info: Blackberries and raspberries (Rubus) are both native American fruit that grows as a small shrub or vine. They are easy to grow, and are productive for 15-20 years. Plants begin to bear in 2-3 years. Raspberries can be red, black, or golden and are ripe when they loose their glossy shine and turn slightly dull.
Blackberries & raspberries produce on biennial (two-year) canes. The canes grow one season, produce fruit the second season, then die. New canes are produced annually, so berries should be present each year.
Landscape uses: Train along a fence or trellis, or tie up a decorative post.
Ornamental qualities: White blossoms in late spring; rich green leaves
Planting: Plant in full sun with room to grow on a two wire trellis. To create the trellis, place stakes/posts at each end with two wires stretched between them. The bottom wire should be 2’ above the ground; the top wire should be 4-5’ above the ground.
Pruning: Tie the first year’s new growth along the bottom wire. Next season/year, move the canes (now second year, fruiting canes) from the bottom wire up to the top wire. Then, tie the new, first year canes to the bottom wire. Repeat this process each year, pruning off the dead fruiting canes from the previous season to make room for this year’s fruiting canes. Prune the dead canes during the winter.
Fertilizing/Watering: Fertilize twice a year in spring and summer.
Varieties of Blackberries:
Arapaho: Thornless. Juicy berries on erect canes. Very productive. Fruit ripens earlier than other thornless varieties.
Navaho: Thornless. Popular variety produces large crop of medium size, flavorful berries. Upright grower.
Ouachita: Thornless. Abundant producer of large, sweet berries on upright canes.
Triple Crown: Thornless. Bears heavy. Large fruit with excellent flavor. Semi-erect.
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