Blackberry Growing Guide

Rubus fruticosus

Blackberry

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Rich soil with compost dug in. Prefers a pH of 6.

Position

Fine in a shady position.

Frost tolerant

Yes.

Feeding

Not normally required but if leaves start to yellow then add a liquid feed.

Spacing

Single Plants: 90cm (2' 11") each way (minimum)
Rows: 90cm (2' 11") with 90cm (2' 11") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Buy plants or use offshoots from an existing plant and cut them to 15cm (6 in) after planting.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Need supporting on wires or tied against a fence. Train the canes onto wire supports from 1m (3ft) high and above. Each autumn add some compost. Plants can be invasive make sure to keep them incheck.

Harvesting

Pick over a long season as ripe.

Troubleshooting

Net to prevent bird damage. Plant a thornless variety to take the pain out of harvesting. In Australia fruit fly are a pest of blackberries, make sure to take appropriate control measures in areas where they are present. It is important to dispose of any infected fruit and fruit has fallen to the ground by placing them in a sealed plastic bag in the sun for at least 7 days to kill the eggs and larvae. Do not compost fruit as this will lead to the fruit fly completing their life cycle and lead to the problem recurring.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Blackberry