Blackberry Bush Care

Normal rainfall will be enough if you keep the plant in the garden, but if you live in a drier area, make sure the plant is watered every week for proper development. During harvesting season, add more frequency to your watering schedule, watering the plant about three times a week. As a rule to know your plant has enough moisture, make sure the soil does not dry deeper than 6 inches (15 cm).

Pruning is key to having a rich fruit harvest for the Blackberry bush. Not only does pruning help with producing new growth, but it will also keep the pests away by maintaining proper airflow between the vines. You can either prune the bush during winter and summer, both seasons having different pruning techniques that you should apply. During winter, cut any dead vines and the canes that produce fruit. After cutting the dead canes, cut any growth until only about 5 canes remain. This will help the plant produce healthy new growth as spring arrives. If you prune your Blackberry bush during summer, cut about 1 foot ( 30 cm) of the new growth to encourage the bush to get denser instead of simply tall. Cut any dead or infected canes and ensure the vines are not crowded, which might attract pests.

Add a 10-10-10 nitrogen fertilizer to your Blackberry bush in the first growth year to boost its growth rhythm and help it develop strong roots. Fertilize them during springtime, both when the plant has its first growth year and after the plant is established.

The blackberry bush requires a minimum of 6 hours of sun daily to thrive. It is best if this sun exposure takes place in the first part of the day when the sun is milder on the plant so the plant does not get burnt by the afternoon sun.

Plant the Blackberry bush in well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Use sandy, loamy soil and avoid clay soil, as this can waterlog the bush's roots. If you plant your plant in the garden, plant it in fresh soil, not in the soil where you previously grew other vegetables, as this soil might not have enough nutrients to support the growth of the blackberry bush.

You can propagate the Blackberry bush in multiple ways, but the most common and straightforward way is to propagate it by cuttings. Cuttings can be taken either from the stem or from the roots, depending on the reason for propagation. If you plan to propagate multiple plants, stem cutting is the best way to do this during summertime.

Cut about 4-6 inches (10-15 cm.) of the cane stem and plant these cuttings a few inches/ cm deep into potting soil mixed with peat moss for ideal moisture and drainage levels. Soon, new growth will appear.

The most frequent method is propagating the bush from root cuttings during late fall. Cut about 3-6 inches (7.5-15 cm.) of the healthy plant, making sure to include part of its roots as well. Keep them in a cold and dry environment for a few weeks. Make sure light does not get to the roots, as they can be affected and killed by sunlight exposure in this period.

After these weeks, plant them horizontally in soil with peat moss or a sandy mix, just as you do with stem cuttings. Lightly cover the roots with soil and then cover the new plant with a protective layer to maintain its temperature until springtime, when you can plant the roots in their permanent spot and start seeing new growth.

Always use sharp tools when cutting the Blackberry bush, as a gritty cut can develop disease on the plant. A clean cut should always be your pruning technique.

The temperature aspect should be something you consider when you choose to grow a Blackberry bush, as this plant requires some cool days annually in order actually to be able to grow fruit. However, too much cold exposure can also be damaging to the plant. When the temperature drops below 28°F (-2,5 °C), ensure you cover the plant's canes with a protection that maintains the temperature, so the canes don't freeze. The preferred temperature range is 50-80°F (10-32°C).

The great part about growing a blackberry bush is that you can grow it both in a sunny spot in the garden or a container. If you are limited in space and prefer potting it, choose a large and sturdy container to support its rooting system. Add a form of support to the bush, as the blackberry plant is crawling, so it will need to be kept upright both for appearance and for proper development.

Blackberries sure like to be a worldwide hit. There are over 375 species of blackberries worldwide for good reasons: they are packed with vitamins and minerals and were often used as medicinal plants throughout history, both for the fruit and the leaves of the bush.