How, When and Why of Forest Farming Website

Blackberry

General
Common NameBlackberry
Latin NameRubus ursinus
CategoryFruits 
FamilyBrambles 
VarietySee Cornell Guide to Growing Fruit at Home 
Visual Traits
Fruitblack
Cultivation
Cultivation and Mulchingcultivate 3' wide strip, no deeper than 2
Field preparation and plantingprepare soil one season prior to planting; clear wild brambles; do not plant in location that may host verticillum wilt
Field spacing / planting depth30
Propagation methodroot suckers, bare root, tissue culture, tip layering
PruningJune, pinch primocanes back when 3-4' tall; early spring, prune off winter damaged canes and cut laterals back to 12-16
Retail Source30 in apart, in rows 9-10 ft apart
Softwood cuttingssummer and/or fall; berries do not last > 2-3 days on plant
Transplantrooted canes early spring; tissue culture plantlets after last frost
Watering guidelineswater liberally at planting; require irrigation throughout growing season; early morning so that plants may dry during day; plant in raised beds if threat of water accumulation
Critters
Insect and invertebrate pestsraspberry cane borers; raspberry fruitworms; spider mites; blackberry leafminers; raspberry sawflies; japanese beetles
Pathogensphytophthora root rot, mosaic virus, ringspot virus, verticillium wilt; spur blight, cane blight, anthracnose; botrytis fruit rot; orange rust
Wildlife Pestsrodents
Soils
Fertility / qualitywell-drained
Moisture and drainageexcessive water promotes phytophthora root rot or frost heave; drought intolerant
pH5.5-6.5
Textureprefers sandy loam but tolerates wide range
Growth Pattern
Growth ratefast
Longevityshort
Habitat and Climate
Exposureno Southern slopes due to early flowering
Hardiness ZoneZones 5-7
Wind / ice / frost susceptibilitysusceptible to frost heave in wet soils
Light
Light recommendationfull sun
Special Notes
Note 1hydridizes readily with other Rubus sp.