Fortunately, the blackberry breeding program at the University of Arkansas has released many excellent cultivars that perform well in Georgia. These "tame" blackberries have much larger fruit than wild plants and are easy to grow.
Two types have been released.
Thorny erect blackberries send up lots of new shoots each year and are readily pruned in the summer to form a hedge row. Thornless erect types, however, primarily sprout from the crown area.
Some of the best types of thorny erect types are 'Cheyenne' , 'Cherokee' , and 'Shawnee'. These can be grown from root cuttings, bare root plants or potted plants.
Thornless blackberries do not readily send up root sprouts. They produce just a few very large canes from the crown area each year. It is desirable to have a light trellis system to support these few large canes when the plants are set six feet apart.
If the plants are set two feet apart in the row they can be grown as a free standing summer pruned hedge. Potted or bare root plants are usually planted. The best thornless blackberries are probably 'Arapaho' and 'Navaho'.
Blackberries should be planted in a sunny spot. They usually grow quite satisfactorily in a variety of soil types. If your soil is heavy clay, it is a good idea to add some type of organic amendment such as compost or rotted manure.
Avoid planting in low areas where water may stand after heavy rains. Before planting, take a soil sample and bring it in to the Extension office. We can have your soil tested for fertilizer and lime requirements. Blackberries typically prefer a soil pH of 6.0 - 6.5.
For more information on blackberries, access the UGA Extension Publication, Home Garden Raspberries and Blackberries
Billy Skaggs: Agricultural Agent
Hall County Extension Coordinator
734 East Crescent Drive
Gainesville, GA 30501
Phone:(770)531-6988 Fax: (770)531-3994
Email: [email protected]
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