How to grow Blackberry

Rubus fruticosus

It tolerates a variety of soil conditions1 – sandy, loam and heavy clay, and can grow in nutritionally poor soil2 but prefers well-drained, loamy soil. It can grow in a range of pHs, and from full shade to full sun (although it does not fruit as well in full shade as it does in full sun).2 It can tolerate strong winds but does not cope well with coastal salt spray2. Established plants are drought-tolerant2.

Take care not to plant near wild blackberries to reduce the risk of viruses3.

Most blackberry varieties require trellising, but trellising requirements vary depending on whether the variety is trailing, erect, or semi-erect3.

Do not plant the bushes where peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes or strawberries are growing, or have grown in the past three years or so. These plants are prone to certain bugs and problems that the growing blackberry plants are also prone to, so keep away from these areas.

How long does Blackberry take to grow?

These estimates for how long Blackberry takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take Blackberry to germinate?
days

Average days | Min days | Max days (0)

Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Blackberry?
+ days

Average days | Min days | Max days (0)

Days to Maturity How long until Blackberry is ready for harvest / bloom?
+ 333 days

Average 333 days | Min 46 days | Max 908 days (12)

Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Blackberry?
= days

Blackberry Folklore & Trivia

The blackberry is not actually a berry, in the botanical sense, but rather an aggregate fruit1.

Other names for Blackberry

Shrubby blackberry, Bramble, Mûre, Sylvanberry, caneberry

Rubus fruticosus L. [excluded]

Misspellings: Black Berry, Rubus fruiticosus

Footnotes

1 Blackberry on Wikipedia

2 Blackberry on Plants for a Future

3 The Old Farmer’s Almanac


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