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Crop Matrix Tool

Use this tool to find out about characteristics; such as soil pH, cultivation methods, pests and post harvest treatment; for a specific crop. To load a crop's characteristics choose a crop from the drop-down menu. To see a list of all possible crops grouped by category click on the “Show List of All Available Crops” link next to the drop-down menu.

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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.
 
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