Our detailed growing guide will help you with each step in successfully growing Blackberries and Hybrid Berries.
This tasty group of soft fruits has big, juicy berries that are sweeter than wild brambles and behave better too. Train these vigorous plants along supporting wires for abundant summer harvests. There are even compact varieties for containers if you’re short on space.
A hybrid plant is the offspring produced by cross-pollinating one specific cultivar with another different cultivar. Cross-pollination, as opposed to pollination between plants of the same cultivar, usually makes offspring that are stronger, healthier, and better. These offspring are called “hybrid vigour.”
There is a tempting array of delicious blackberry varieties to choose from, with large, juicy, richly flavoured fruits. These can vary in sweetness and size, depending on the variety, with some up to 5cm (2in) long. When and for how long they crop also changes; they can crop in early summer or early fall, and the flowers can be pink or white. Some varieties are even thornless, such as ‘Loch Ness’, which makes pruning, training and picking easier. Blackberries can get very big, so plant size is very important. They need to be trained onto horizontal wires to keep them neat. So pick a type that fits the space you have; types that grow quickly can get up to 4 meters (14 feet) wide, while types that grow more slowly can get up to 2 meters wide. 5m (8ft) wide. Some varieties, like “Little Black Prince,” are small enough to grow in pots without any supports. It only gets to be 1 m (3¼ft) tall and wide. You can also choose from a number of blackberry hybrids and closely related species. They are all grown in the same way and produce fruit with a range of delicious, aromatic tastes. The main choices are:
When picking varieties, look for ones that have been given an RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM). This means they did well in tests and should grow and produce reliably. See our list of AGM fruit and veg. In all RHS gardens, you can find fruit and vegetable plots where many berries and other soft fruits, like blackberries, grow. You should go see how they are grown, compare the different kinds, and get some good gardening tips.
Blackberries are a delicious and productive crop for home gardens. They readily send up new canes from the roots each season, providing abundant harvests of sweet, juicy berries for years to come. Planting bare root blackberries in early spring allows the canes to establish deep roots before summer heat arrives. Follow this complete guide for tips on how to successfully plant and grow bare root blackberry plants.
Selecting High Quality Bare Root Blackberries
Bare root blackberry plants are sold dormant in late winter and early spring Choose bare root canes that
- Are 1-2 years old, around 5/16 inch thick
- Have plump, light brown roots with no mold, rot, or defects
- Have smooth, shiny, green or red bark with plentiful buds
- Were kept moist and cool after digging, not allowed to dry out
Avoid plants with brittle, dry, shriveled, or discolored roots. The canes should be firm, not shriveled. Broken or split canes will likely not grow properly. Prioritize purchasing from reputable nurseries that handle bare roots correctly.
Once acquired, bare root plants must be planted within 1-2 days before the roots dry out. If planting must be delayed, follow proper storage methods.
Storing Bare Root Blackberries Before Planting
If bare root blackberries cannot be planted right away you can store them for up to 1-2 weeks using these techniques
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Keep roots moist by placing bundles of canes in buckets of damp sawdust, peat moss, or wood shavings.
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Cover buckets with plastic wrap and store at 33-40°F. Keep them out of sunlight.
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Check every few days and remoisten the packing material if needed.
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Avoid storage longer than 2 weeks. Plant immediately once roots start showing growth.
Never allow bare roots to dry out. Desiccation is fatal. Handle carefully to avoid breaking roots or canes. Keep plants dormant and cool until ready to plant.
Preparing the Planting Site
Select a sunny, well-drained spot in the garden for blackberries. They need:
- Full sun – at least 6 hours direct sun daily
- Rich soil – amend with compost as needed
- Good drainage – raised beds work well
- Room to spread – allow 8-10 feet between plants
- Support – install trellises, wires, etc. before planting
The soil should be moist but not waterlogged. Dig in 2-4 inches of mature compost to improve drainage and provide nutrients. Adjust the pH to between 5.5-6.5. Install your trellis system now so it’s ready when canes start growing.
How to Plant the Bare Root Canes
Once soil prep is complete, it’s time to get those blackberry canes in the ground! Follow these steps:
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Trim any broken roots with clean shears. It helps prevent rot infections later.
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Soak roots in a bucket of water or compost tea for 1-2 hours before planting.
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Dig a hole or trench. Make it 2-4 inches deep and wide enough to spread the roots out.
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Spread roots in the hole. Position the crown (where roots meet cane) right at soil level.
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Backfill soil, gently firming it around the roots. Leave no air pockets.
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Water deeply to settle soil and eliminate air pockets that could dry roots.
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Mulch around plants with 2-3 inches of organic mulch like shredded leaves or bark.
Initial Care of Newly Planted Blackberries
Keep your new blackberry plants well cared for after planting with these tips:
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Water daily the first week, then 1-2 times per week if rains don’t provide sufficient moisture.
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Install a trellis now for canes to grow on as they establish.
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Weed diligently to reduce competition for water and nutrients.
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Monitor for pests like root weevils that can damage tender young plants.
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Apply an organic balanced fertilizer monthly to encourage strong growth.
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Prune only lightly the first year, removing damaged canes.
The first year allows the extensive root system to develop before fruiting begins in year two. With proper planting and care, your bare root blackberries will soon reward you with bountiful, sweet summertime harvests!
Troubleshooting Issues With Bare Root Blackberries
Sometimes bare root blackberries fail to thrive after planting. Here are some common issues and solutions:
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Leaves wilt or die: Roots likely dried out before planting. Water more consistently.
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Few or no new canes: Soil may be too heavy or pH too high. Improve drainage and lower pH.
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Canes weak and spindly: Not enough sun or overcrowded. Move to sunnier site and give more space.
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No berries: Needs cross-pollination. Plant another variety nearby.
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Berries small or dry: Fertilize regularly and provide adequate, consistent moisture.
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Roots stunted: Poor drainage. Amend soil with compost to improve.
With proper selection, planting, and care, your bare root blackberries will flourish! Be diligent those first seasons to help them establish deep roots and vigorous canes. Soon you’ll be harvesting bowlfuls of plump, juicy blackberries from your thriving vines.
Planting in a container
There are only a few compact blackberry varieties that are suitable for planting in a container. For these, choose a pot at least 45cm (18in) wide and fill with peat-free soil-based compost. See our planting guides below.
Most blackberries and plants related to them are strong scrambling plants that need to be trained to stay in check. For the best crop, feed annually and water in dry weather while the fruits are forming.
For the first growing season, water new plants often. During dry times, water every seven to ten days. Well-established plants shouldn’t need extra watering, but if it’s really dry in the summer, watering every two weeks will make the fruit bigger. Plants in containers need regular watering throughout the growing season and even daily in hot weather.
Apply a 7cm (3in) layer of organic mulch, such as garden compost, every spring after feeding. Leave a 5cm (2in) gap around the base of the new canes and the crown, to prevent rotting.
In mid-spring, feed with a high potassium general fertiliser, such as Vitax Q4 or blood, fish and bone. Scatter one and a half handfuls per square metre/yard around the base of the plant.
In the spring and summer, it’s easy to grow new plants by putting the ends of strong stems into the ground. This is called stem-tip layering. Only do this with healthy young plants, as older plants may carry diseases.
If you don’t want birds to eat your berries, cover them with netting that is raised on a frame of bamboo canes, or grow them in a fruit cage. 5.
This plant will spread quickly, so it’s best to train it to grow along horizontal wires attached to a wall, fence, or posts. This should be set up before planting. Space the horizontal wires 45cm (18in) apart, with the lowest wire 30–45cm (1–1½ft) from the ground. Most blackberries and hybrid/species berries grow their fruit on canes or stems that grew in the spring and summer before. Old stems need to be pruned out and new ones trained onto the supports:
- Every year after they fruit, they should be pruned to get rid of the old, fruited stems at the base. This encourages new stems to grow in the spring for the next crop (their second year). If you don’t prune your plants, they will grow into a tangled, thorny mess of stems that don’t fruit well and are hard to harvest.
- There are two main reasons to train the stems onto wires: to separate the old stems from the new ones so it’s easy to know which ones to cut off, and to keep these strong, often thorny plants under control so they are easy to harvest. Every day from spring to fall, the stems are tied in as they grow.
For more details, see our guide below.
What and where to buy
Blackberries are easy to find in garden centers and online. Hybrid and species berries, on the other hand, are mostly sold online by fruit nurseries and other specialized sellers. From fall to spring, they are all usually sold as plants grown in pots, but you might find some that are sold bare root (without soil).
It is one of the most common blackberries and has stems without thorns. It has lots of big, shiny, tasty berries. The.
A popular blackberry with upright, thornless stems and medium-sized berries full of flavour. The
A thornless loganberry with outstanding flavour. Self-fertile, with large berries ripening to deep burgundy. The
For the best crop, pick a spot that gets sun and protection; however, all of these berries can also grow in light shade. They prefer moisture-retentive but free-draining soil. When you dig in garden compost or well-rotted manure, make sure there are two buckets of each type of soil (chalky, sandy, or heavy clay). Before planting, put a support system of horizontal wires in place – see training blackberries. Each plant will grow to 2. 5–3. 5m (8–11ft) wide, and up to 4. 5m (13ft) for a vigorous variety, so make sure you allow enough space. It’s best to plant in the winter, but you can plant plants in pots any time of the year (just don’t do it when it’s hot and dry). Position in the ground at the same level they were growing previously. Prune straight after planting – see Pruning and Training, below. With bare-root plants, these are only available from late autumn to spring, and should be planted straight away. Position with first roots no more than 5–8cm (2–3in) below the soil surface. All these berries are easy to plant – similar to most climbers and shrubs. See the following guides for full details.
How to plant a bare root Blackberry plant
FAQ
What month do you plant blackberry bushes?
How do you prepare soil for blackberries?
How do you plant bare root fruit trees?
Where should you not plant blackberries?
Can you plant blackberries bare root?
Blackberry plants are sold as either bare-root plants (a short cane section with roots attached, Figure 9) or as potted plants (Figure 10). Plant blackberries as early as you can work the soil in spring. If they can’t be planted immediately, heel in bare root plants by covering the roots with moist soil or sawdust. Figure 9.
How do you grow blackberries?
Here is your complete guide to growing the blackberry plant. Blackberries grow best in USDA Zones 5 to 9; check at a nearby garden center or the cooperative extension for varieties recommended for your region. Plant blackberries in full sun. Fruit yield will be reduced if blackberries are planted in shade.
How do you plant a blackberry plant in a hole?
Set your blackberry plant in the planting hole so that the top edge of the root ball (or the crown of the bare root plant) is at or slightly above ground level to allow for settling. It may be necessary to place some of your backfill soil mixture in the bottom of the hole to achieve proper planting height. Step 5
When should you plant blackberries?
Plant blackberries as early as you can work the soil in spring. If they can’t be planted immediately, heel in bare root plants by covering the roots with moist soil or sawdust. Figure 9. Blackberry bare-root nursery plants.
How far apart should blackberries be planted?
Plant thornless blackberries 4 to 6 feet apart. Space blackberry rows 8 to 10 feet apart; this will ensure good sun exposure and air circulation. Plant blackberries in spring or fall. Soak bare-root plants in compost tea for 20 minutes before planting. Prepare a planting hole half again as deep as the root ball and twice as wide.
Should I replant blackberries?
If you decide to replant in another area of your yard using newly purchased plants, check which crop plants may be susceptible to phythophthora root rot before planting in your old, infested spot. Other diseases may become problematic in blackberries.