Growing Blackberries and Raspberries

All blackberry and raspberry plants are self-fertile or self-pollinating. Although they do not need a pollinator, planting an additional one range around will growth their fruit production. Erect plants should be planted 3 to 5 feet apart in full sun in soil with a pH level of 6.0 to 6.5. Keep the root collar or crown (where the root mass begins) no more than one half inch below the grounds surface. Trailing varieties need spacing of 8 to 10 feet between plants and will need to be trellised. Our plants typically bear fruit in 2 to 3 years, after which they commonly yield 2 to 4 quarts per plant.

Examples of erect or upright blackberry plants are the Apache (which is probably the sweetest in flavor), Arapaho and Ouachita while examples of erect or upright raspberry plants are Anne, patrimony (an ever bearing) and Nova Summer Red. The Triple Crown and Cumberland are trailing varieties.

Apache

Without knowing which plant range has been planted, it is often difficult to tell raspberry and blackberry plants apart until harvest time. When ripe, raspberries will come off with the core remaining on the plant. This leaves a hole in the top of the berry manufacture it hollow and quite perishable. This is why raspberries are more high-priced at the market.

Do not plant raspberry, blackberry or strawberry plants where potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, or other berry plants (including other strawberry, raspberry or blackberry) have grown in the past 3 years. Fungus disease and insect pests may still be in the soil in those areas.

Growing Blackberries and Raspberries