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Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 03/18/2009 09:23 AM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 03/18/2009 09:24 AM
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00 AM
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Sweeten the Foothill Garden with Blackberries~by Ken Churches
Foothill gardeners should consider growing blackberries this season. They thrive in our climate and soils, and March is the time to plant them. Blackberries grow best in full sun. They do well in most soils but they prefer deep, well-drained sandy loams with a pH (acid content) of 6.5 to 7.5. Add 1 to 2 inches of compost and 1 to 2 pounds of phosphorus fertilizer per 1000 square feet for good root development during the first growing season. Do not plant in areas with perennial weeds....
Plant only certified nematode- and virus-free plants available at most nurseries from late February to early April. Soak roots in water for an hour before planting. Dig planting holes 6 inches deep. Cut plant tops back to 6 inches long before planting. Prune any broken roots. Set new plants at the same depth or slightly deeper than they were at the nursery. Cover roots with moist soil, firm the soil around the plant and irrigate immediately.
Blackberries have perennial root systems and biennial canes. Canes produced during the first growing season produce fruit the following summer. The canes die back to ground level during the winter. Prune dead canes to make room for new growth in the spring. Train erect and trailing blackberries to a trellis during the first growing season. Removing the top third of all canes can slightly reduce yields but will result in larger berries.
As new plants develop the first year, apply nitrogen fertilizer at a rate of one-fourth to one-half pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Apply in a band 9 to 12 inches from the plants, between 4 and 6 weeks after they are established. Lightly mix the nitrogen fertilizer into the soil. Irrigate immediately after application.
Blackberry varieties may have thorny or smooth canes. 'Kiowa' has erect thorny canes with very large fruit. 'Choctaw' is an early thorny variety with small seed. 'Black Satin' is an early mid-season variety with smooth stems and semi-erect canes. All do well in the foothills.
This article adapted from Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, USDA. Please contact Ken Churches at cdcalaveras@ucdavis.edu or (209) 754-6475 with your agricultural questions. To speak with a Certified Master Gardener: Calaveras (209) 754-2880, Tuolumne (209) 533-5696, Amador (209) 223-6837, El Dorado (530) 621-5543.
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