Planting blackberry seedlings - rules, nuances, step-by-step steps. Planting blackberries in spring - advice from summer residents When is it better to replant blackberries in spring or autumn

The Attractiveness of Blackberry Cultivation- high and stable productivity. The rich chemical composition of the fruits of the bush makes them especially important for the human diet. This is a worthy alternative to garden raspberries and the opportunity to diversify culinary preparations. With proper planting and care, taking into account all biological characteristics blackberries will bear fruit for at least 10 years.

When is the best time to plant garden blackberries - in summer, autumn or spring? Choice of dates

The potential for productivity and benefits of blackberries is much wider than that of its close relative, raspberries. However, gardeners are not eager to plant and grow this magnificent shrub on their property.

This is distinguished by the fact that plant varieties bred from southern forms have been cultivated for a long time. They found it difficult to take root in the planting region and led to massive disappointment among gardeners.

The situation changed after new relatively winter-hardy varieties have appeared, which are able to withstand temperatures down to -30 C.

Therefore, for cultivation in the middle zone or more northern regions (in Siberia and the Urals), it is important to purchase varieties of modern selection.

Despite this, in the northern regions, blackberry cultivation is somewhat limited. This is due to uneven fruiting, the final period of which often coincides with the first frost and some of the fruits do not have time to ripen.

In addition, insufficient lighting leads to loss of quality in ripened fruits.

Autumn planting of blackberries has more benefits and is most optimal in the middle and southern regions. After planting the shrub there will be a period of stable and cool temperatures, increased humidity will promote root development until the soil temperature drops to -4°C.

Blackberries emerge from a state of relative dormancy very early, and shrubs that have taken root in the fall will immediately begin to develop vegetative mass.

When planted in spring, the plant does not have time to take root. due to too rapid warming and the onset of sap flow, after which active growth of shoots begins.

A weak root system is not able to provide the necessary nutrition to the growing vegetative mass. This greatly weakens the bush and affects overall development.

Spring planting is preferable in northern regions and if the blackberry variety is characterized by poor winter hardiness.

In autumn, the plant should be planted at least 20-30 days before the first frost, in spring before buds open, when the air temperature rises to +15°C.

For growing in the garden planting material must be purchased from reputable nurseries. Annual seedlings with two stems, the thickness of which is at least 0.5 cm in diameter, have the best survival rate.

An important criterion is the formed bud on the roots. The optimal length of tap roots is at least 10 cm.

Preparing a place for planting a seedling: where is it better to plant, in the sun or in the shade?

For growing blackberries you need to choose a place well lit by the sun and protected from northern winds. In the shade, the young shoots of the plant will grow poorly, become elongated, the fruits become smaller and lose their taste.

A good option is to plant along the fence, where the bushes will be protected from the winds and the stems from breakage. In this case, you need to retreat 1 m from the fence so that the plant is not heavily shaded. It is better to place the bush on the south or southwest side of the site.

To plant blackberries, you need breathable and well-drained soil. Loams are ideal with a humus layer of at least 25 cm.

Groundwater occurrence on the site should be no higher than 1.5 meters. If these indicators are violated, the roots of the plant will be damp and cold, which significantly affects winter hardiness and yield indicators.

To plant thorny shrubs, the planting area must be prepared in advance. All weeds are removed, plant waste is destroyed, and preventive spraying is carried out against pathogens and pests.

For growing blackberries Salty, rocky, sandy and marshy areas are not suitable.

Severely depleted soils need to be replenished with essential macroelements. To do this, the area is dug up to a depth of 30-35 cm, and organic and mineral fertilizers are applied.

How to plant in open ground

Planting pits and substrate are prepared in 15-20 days before planting seedlings in open ground.

The blackberry root system is more powerful and penetrates deeper than that of other berry crops. Therefore, the pits need to be made more voluminous. The best option - adhere to the parameters 40x40x40 cm.

Upright varieties of shrubs are placed at a distance of 1 m, creeping plants at 1.5 m. 2 m are left between rows.

Organic matter and minerals must be added to each hole:

compost or humus 5 kg;
superphosphate 120 g;
potassium sulfate 40 g.

The nutrient components are mixed with fertile soil and the resulting substrate is filled into the hole 2/3 of the volume.

The shrub is planted vertically with root collar depth 1.5-2 cm. In light sandy loam soils, deepen up to 3 cm.

Blackberry roots are placed in a hole, straightened and covered with substrate. In this case, the hole is not completely filled, leaving a distance of 1-2 cm to the soil level.

Thus, there will be a recess under each bush, which will contribute to the rational hydration of blackberries.

Then the surface of the substrate needs to be compacted and water the seedling with 5-6 liters of water. After planting blackberries in spring, the plant must be provided with regular watering for 40-50 days. After compacting the soil, the tree trunk circle is mulched with sawdust, peat or straw.

Mulching the soil surface under the bush with peat or rotted manure with a layer of 15 cm will protect against weeds and prevent the appearance of dense crusts. Additionally, it is a source of balanced supply of nutrients to blackberry roots.

Planting blackberries:

How you can and should care for a bush in the garden - advice from agricultural technicians

Blackberries are more drought-resistant and easy to care for than raspberries. The only drawback of culture- relatively low winter hardiness and frost resistance. Therefore, you need to care for the plant taking into account its biological characteristics.

With proper care and preparation for winter, blackberries will grow and delight you with a high yield, according to the indicators of which among berry crops it is second only to grapes.

The golden rule of care is pruning

Throughout the life of the blackberry you need to control the density of the bush and make formative prunings.

These activities include:

Removing inflorescences in the first year of growth. This is done to stimulate the development of the root system.
In the second year after planting, you need to shorten the stems, leaving a height of 1.5-1.8 m. The procedure is carried out in the spring before the buds open. Sections should be made above the kidney.
After each winter you need to cut off frozen areas stems to a living bud.
In summer, at the beginning of June, the bushes are thinned out. At the same time, young shoots are removed, leaving an average of 6-8 strong stems for creeping varieties and 4-5 for erect ones. The tops of young shoots are cut off by 5-8 cm.

Bush blackberry is a shrub with a biennial fruiting cycle.. During the first year, the stems of the plant develop, become woody and form fruit buds. The next year they bear fruit and only in rare cases can they form new fruit buds.

Agricultural technicians advise removing biennial shoots that have spawned, thereby stimulating the development of new growths and thinning out the blackberry crown, which will only make it look better.

Prickly bush garter

For creeping types of shrubs you will need a trellis with 3-4 rows of wire with a distance between them of 50 cm.

In the first year of development, 2-3 shoots are fan-shapedly tied to the lower wires. Annual shoots are directed to the center of the bush, tied to the topmost wire.

Before the onset of cold weather, young shoots are removed from their support and sheltered for the winter.

Stems of erect blackberry varieties tied to a trellis with a slight slope to one side. When new shoots grow during the growing season, they also need to be tied up. This time the slope is made in the opposite direction from the fruiting branches.

A peculiarity of growing blackberries is the need to shade the bush while the fruits are ripening. Exposure to direct sunlight negatively affects the commercial quality of the fruit. To do this, shading nets are stretched along the rows of bushes.

Fertilizer and fertilizing are the key to a good harvest

Blackberries need fertilizing every spring nitrogen fertilizers that will stimulate the growth of annual shoots - this is another golden rule. To do this, apply 50 g of ammonium nitrate under each bush, covering it to a depth of 10-15 cm.

Every 3-4 years, shrubs in the garden need to be fed and other macroelements. This procedure is carried out after harvesting. Per 1 m2 the following is added to the soil under the plant:

compost or humus 10 kg;
superphosphate 100 g;
potassium sulfate 30 g.

It should be remembered that nitrogen fertilizers are applied only in spring. This mineral is also found in large quantities in pig manure and chicken droppings.

Measures for fertilizing blackberries can be combined by spraying with 1% Bordeaux mixture, which will suppress the development of microorganisms. For additional disease prevention, the area under the bushes should be cleared of fallen leaves.

When to water, do you need to loosen?

Deep-lying, compared to other berry bushes, The blackberry root system makes the plant drought-resistant. But this does not mean that the plant should be left without irrigation and not watered.

Watering is especially necessary during the fruit-filling period. and when hot weather sets in. At this time, the wide leaf plates of the plant evaporate a large amount of moisture.

The optimal volume of water for an adult bush during fruit filling is 15-20 liters per week. At other times, you need to focus on the condition of the substrate and not let it dry out too much.

Several times during the growing season it is necessary to loosen the soil under the bushes to a depth of 10 cm, while simultaneously removing weeds.

It is especially important to carry out the procedure in the fall, at the end of August, in September. The looser the soil, the less the soil in the root layers will freeze.

Shelter for winter time

Before the winter season, the shrub will need shelter. For this plant stems bend to the ground. It is important to do this until the air temperature drops to -1°C. Otherwise, they will lose elasticity and break.

To do this, the branches are tied into bundles, bent to the ground and secured with hooks. Upright blackberry varieties are quite difficult to bend down without breaking the stems.

Many gardeners have found a way out of the situation and at the end of the growing season, weights are tied to the tops of the stems, under the weight of which they gradually bend to the ground.

Regardless of the frost resistance characteristics, all varieties of blackberries need shelter for the winter. To do this you can use:

hay or vegetable tops;
roofing felt;
sawdust;
peat or humus.

Blackberry shelter for the winter:

The most dangerous time for blackberries is the snowless beginning of winter.. Therefore, it is necessary to cover the plant before the onset of the first cold weather, and in winter, pull snow towards it. Blackberry stems are not prone to overheating, so the plant can also be covered with polyethylene.

Fruit tree foliage is not suitable as a covering material. It often hides pathogenic microorganisms, which in the spring can begin to actively develop on the bush.

Spruce branches are well suited for shelter, which will additionally protect against rodents.

Blackberry fruiting unevenly and can cover a whole month. The fruits of the bush are characterized by good transportability and a long shelf life at low temperatures.

Leaves and roots of the plant have bactericidal, sedative properties and will take their rightful place in the home collection of herbal remedies.

Good afternoon, dear readers and blog guests!

Garden blackberries are a fantastic, extraordinary and magnificent crop! My love for everything beautiful requires turning you into a fan of blackberries, because there is no tastier, larger, more abundant and gorgeous berry. Today’s article will discuss the rules for planting and caring for shrubs.

You don't have to have a lot of bushes to reap a rich harvest. With the right approach and proper care, you can get from 10 to 20 kilograms of harvest from a bush. It is easy to understand that having a whole plantation is not necessary to be happy.

Blackberries have a wonderful “character”, but they are not very winter hardy. This circumstance must be taken into account when choosing a landing site. You should not have any problems removing the blackberries from the trellis and wrapping them in film or black agrofibre.

I won’t reveal all the secrets at once, let’s talk about everything in order.

Blackberry bushes have a fairly powerful root system that penetrates deeply into the soil. Therefore, holes for seedlings are made 40-50 cm deep and wide. If there is groundwater nearby, the deep hole is additionally filled with expanded clay and dry soil.

It is recommended to deepen the root collar by 2 centimeters, and place the bushes vertically. If the soil is light and easily washed away, then it is better to deepen the root by 4 centimeters. When planting a plant, straighten its roots, making sure that they do not bend.

Fill the hole with soil mixed with fertilizers and water immediately. Moreover, at least 6 liters of water are used per seedling. At the end of planting, the soil around the bush is compacted.

To retain moisture longer after rain or watering, a three-centimeter depression is made on the surface of the hole.

Five rules, following which you can get a good harvest:

Suitable for growing region.

Frost-resistant specimens are suitable for the climatic zones of the Russian Federation. For example, some hybrid species (remontant variety Gigant) are resistant to temperatures down to -30 degrees. But winter-hardy shrubs Darroy or Agawam can withstand 40 degree frosts. More heat-loving varieties will have to be covered for the winter, since they have a frost resistance threshold of -18 degrees.

Compliance with transplantation dates and soil selection.

The timing of planting blackberry seedlings in open ground is greatly influenced by winter hardiness. For planting in spring, you can choose any variety of shrub, since during the summer the plant has time to take root and form buds. But it is better not to plant blackberries in the fall, especially species with a low threshold of frost resistance - the plant will die.

Moist, drained, slightly acidic soil (soil with a pH of 5.7 - 6.5) is what is necessary for the active growth of blackberries. If the soil is not fertile enough, organic fertilizers are added to it:

superphosphate (15 g/m²)
potassium sulfate (20g/m²)

Setting up support beams.

To ensure the safety of planting material and to save time on subsequent gartering of bushes, support beams are installed.

This is done before planting the bushes in the holes.

The garter is usually made on two sides:

for last year's shoots;
for new growth

Fertilizer application.

Low yields and small berries may indicate that the soil is not nutritious enough and the plant does not have enough sunlight. Therefore, usually the next year after transplantation, they begin to apply fertilizers.

Calculation of the dosage of fertilizing depends on the fertility and filling of the soil.

On average, a blackberry bush grows at least 10 centimeters per day. If the plant does not reach these indicators, then it is necessary to apply nitrogen fertilizers. To stimulate the formation of flower buds, the bushes are watered with a solution of superphosphates and potassium sulfate 2–3 times with an interval of 14 days.

Shrub trimming.

Blackberry bushes need timely pruning of dead branches, which stimulates the active growth of new shoots. This is also necessary to prevent putrefactive processes that can destroy the plant.

Trimmings can be used for rooting for the purpose of subsequent propagation of the plant.

Blackberries are pruned in the fall. Two-year-old shoots are completely cut off, leaving only one-year-old young shoots in the amount of 5 to 8 branches.

Blackberries are characterized by drying out of the side shoots, which are cut off as they appear. There are two reasons for the flowering node to dry out. The first is too wet soil, the second is root fungus. In the second case, the diseased plant needs to be transplanted from the rest.

Blackberry varieties description

Varieties of garden blackberries can be divided into two large groups:

Kumanika (erect)
Dewberry (creeping)

In the second group, about 40 hybrid shrubs without thorns were bred. Most cultivated species are characterized by resistance to low temperatures during long winters, unpretentiousness, and high yield levels. There are also early ripening, dwarf and enlarged varieties.

Characteristics of thornless varieties popular in the Russian Federation (in the middle zone, Siberia) and beyond:

Also included in this group are Natchez and Chester Thornless blackberries. Both plants belong to the semi-creeping group of fruit bushes, which are famous for their high yield (up to 20 kilograms of berries per season).

The main difference between the Netchez variety is its early ripening period (mid-June) and long fruiting period (1.5 months). The fruits are large - the weight of the berries ranges from 14 to 16 grams. The only drawback is low frost resistance (-15 degrees). But the Chester Thornless blackberry easily tolerates frosts down to -30 degrees, which makes the variety popular for growing.

In summer cottages in the Moscow region and Leningrad region there are various types of blackberry bushes. All varieties are united by high yield and frost tolerance. Although, with proper care, even capricious species produce good harvests in these areas.

Gardeners usually plant several shrubs at once - early-ripening and late-ripening varieties. You should also take into account when choosing a variety for your site that the soils in the Moscow region are not rich in nutrients. Therefore, choose blackberries that are hardy and resistant to adverse conditions.

In the Moscow and Leningrad regions it is recommended to grow the following varieties:

Also pay attention to such blackberry varieties as Apache, Arapahoe, Buckingham Tayberry, and branched Doyle.

Store purchased plants buried in the ground or wrap them in a plastic bag with wet sawdust inside.
Before planting, inspect the roots for rot. Remove rotten areas.
Make a small cut on the bark - on a good, not dried out seedling it will be moist and greenish in color.
24 hours before planting, place the seedlings in water mixed with clay and mullein. The film that will cover the roots will prevent their subsequent drying out.

Garden blackberries: garter and pruning

It is simply necessary to trim shoots regularly. Firstly, it prevents the plant from growing and turning into a wild shrub. Secondly, this care measure affects the berries - they become more fragrant and larger in size.

When and how to prune shrubs:

To stimulate the active development of the underground part of the plant, inflorescences must be removed in the first year.
In the second year, the stems are shortened to 1.5 meters, making an incision above the unopened bud!
At the end of the winter season, the frozen sections of branches above the living buds are cut off.
The bushes are thinned out at the very beginning of the summer season, leaving 5-7 of the strongest stems. And from young shoots they cut off the tops by 5–8 centimeters.
It is also advisable to remove 2-year-old shoots, stimulating the development of new growths.

Blackberries are a sun-loving crop that requires good lighting for abundant fruiting. This is achieved by tying up bushes. Also, this measure of plant care is associated with increased fragility of flexible shoots. It is also much more convenient to harvest from tied thorny bushes.

The garter is carried out 2 times a year:

in the spring (when the frosts finally go away)
in the fall (after the plant stops bearing fruit)

Activities for gartering bushes:

First of all, install a trellis with three or four rows of tied wire at a distance of half a meter between them.

The stems of creeping species of the first year are tied in a “fan” to the lower rows. Annuals, straightening the stem - towards the top row of support. Before the first frost arrives, young stems are removed and covered.
For upright varieties, the stems are slightly inclined in any direction. When young shoots begin to grow, they are tied to the opposite edge.

When the blackberry begins to bear fruit, it must be protected from the scorching direct rays of the sun. To do this, special shading nets are stretched. They do this for absolutely all varieties of berry bushes.

Blackberries garden benefits and harm to health

Blackberries are a tasty, juicy and incredibly healthy berry. The small fruits are rich in pectin, anthocyanins, vitamin C, various minerals and fatty acids, and are also a storehouse of antioxidants that absorb free radicals. Blackberries are low-calorie foods that help in the fight against excess weight.

The main advantages of regular use:

Cleanses the body, improving the condition of the skin, and having a positive effect on blood vessels and heart function.
Helps maintain the water balance of the human body.
High iron content helps fight anemia.
Has anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties.

High consumption of the anthocyanin-rich berry reduces the risk of Parkinson's disease.
Regulates blood sugar levels.
Green blackberries with honey are used as a folk remedy for coughs.
Cleans and strengthens teeth and gums.

There are no strict contraindications to eating blackberries. However, if you suffer from hypertension or gastrointestinal diseases, it is recommended to consult a doctor or nutritionist regarding the consumption of this berry. Also be careful if you have an individual intolerance to certain foods.

Have scientists revealed all the secrets of the delicious berry? I think not all! Blackberries have a beneficial effect on every cell of the body; anthocyanins are one of the most powerful antioxidants.

Therefore, get your fill, stock up on blackberries for the winter - recover and rejuvenate! Summer is a special time. Nature itself plans for a person to gain strength during the summer season.

The nature of blackberries is very flexible, so cuttings and seedlings of this crop can be planted throughout the season, from early spring to early autumn. If for some reason you did not have time or were unable to plant in the fall, reschedule it until the spring.

The optimal time is considered to be warm weather, when the ground has completely thawed and the soil temperature has warmed up by 14 degrees. You should only be afraid of return frosts; if they are quite strong, then the root system can freeze. The same thing can happen with very early planting.

In central Russia, the optimal time for spring planting is mid-March or the very beginning of April. But still, the best guideline will be the state of climatic conditions. If March is cold and snowmelt is delayed, delay planting until a more favorable period.

If planting is delayed due to cold weather, you have time to prepare the planting hole and select a place for the blackberries on the site.

Spring planting activities have as many disadvantages as advantages, so everyone who intends to plant blackberries in their garden must decide this issue independently. We suggest weighing all the pros and cons.

“For” spring:

In spring and summer, the roots of the plant quickly increase in mass, since the ground is warm, so the blackberry quickly adapts to the new place and begins to grow actively.
In the warmth it is easier to understand the viability of a plant; nothing prevents you from observing how it develops and how the buds bloom.
In the summer it is easier to care for the plant, give it the fertilizers necessary for growth, water it, in a word, it is easier to observe how the young seedling feels in a new place and reacts to care.

“Against” spring:

A young plant needs watering, but in spring the soil dries out very quickly, since the spring sun burns mercilessly and does not give moisture a chance to be retained in the ground. And here there is a danger of the root system drying out if the seedlings are not watered in time.
The fact is that in the spring the foliage begins to actively grow, and at the same time the development of both the above-ground part of the plant and the root system begins. In the absence of the proper amount of moisture, the plant will lose its strength and may die without ever taking root.
Another important point: in the spring, seedlings that have not been sold since the fall are often sold. If you buy a seedling from a manufacturer who does not store planting material in proper conditions, you will have to revive the dead plant. Be vigilant and purchase plants only from trusted sellers.

As you can see, spring planting has an equal number of disadvantages and advantages. You must decide for yourself how to do it right so as not to waste your energy, time and money.

Fill the hole with soil mixed with fertilizers and water immediately. Moreover, at least 6 liters of water are used per seedling. At the end of planting, the soil around the bush is compacted.

Five rules, following which you can get a good harvest:

Suitable for growing region.

Compliance with transplantation dates and soil selection.

The timing of planting blackberry seedlings in open ground is greatly influenced by winter hardiness. For planting in spring, you can choose any variety of shrub, since during the summer the plant has time to take root and form buds. But it is better not to plant blackberries in the fall, especially species with a low threshold of frost resistance - the plant will die.

Moist, drained, slightly acidic soil (soil with a pH of 5.7 - 6.5) is what is necessary for the active growth of blackberries. If the soil is not fertile enough, organic fertilizers are added to it:

superphosphate (15 g/m²)
potassium sulfate (20g/m²)

Setting up support beams.

To ensure the safety of planting material and to save time on subsequent gartering of bushes, support beams are installed.

The garter is usually made on two sides:

for last year's shoots;
for new growth

Fertilizer application.

On average, a blackberry bush grows at least 10 centimeters per day. If the plant does not reach these indicators, then it is necessary to apply nitrogen fertilizers. To stimulate the formation of flower buds, the bushes are watered with a solution of superphosphates and potassium sulfate 2–3 times with an interval of 14 days.

Shrub trimming.

Blackberry bushes need timely pruning of dead branches, which stimulates the active growth of new shoots. This is also necessary to prevent putrefactive processes that can destroy the plant.

Blackberries are pruned in the fall. Two-year-old shoots are completely cut off, leaving only one-year-old young shoots in the amount of 5 to 8 branches.

The timing of planting blackberries in the spring may vary depending on the specific growing region, but on average it is the end of April. The closer to the south, the earlier landing is possible, and vice versa.

When purchasing planting material, you need to pay attention to its viability. A good seedling must have:

developed root system;
one or more stems about 0.5 cm thick;
at least one formed bud on the rhizome.

The place for growing blackberries should be sunny: in the shade the bushes will stretch out, and the berries will not be able to gain sweetness. You should also avoid windy areas, as strong gusts can break the bush.

Blackberries can be planted both in spring and autumn. However, spring planting is considered preferable by gardeners: over the summer the shoot will have more time to take root well and gain strength for the future wintering. However, having planted a seedling in the fall, you can also be sure that next year’s blackberries will delight you with green leaves and the first flowers. Of course, provided that you have followed all the details of autumn planting.

Blackberries are a rare guest in summer cottages

In autumn, blackberries need to be planted a month before the onset of frost. Therefore, the optimal timing for this procedure will be (depending on the region) the end of August - the end of September. For autumn planting, you should choose plants in pots - they must be planted together with a lump of earth, so they will take root better.

A blackberry seedling purchased in a pot must be planted together with a lump of earth

The choice of season for replanting a bush depends on the type of blackberry. For example, thornless varieties of this berry are recommended to be replanted in the spring. This same season, as we said earlier, is much preferable for planting and replanting this crop. However, it is also not forbidden to carry out such work in September-October, especially if the autumn in your region is long and warm. The main thing is to carry out the autumn transplant at least two weeks before the onset of frost and do not forget to thoroughly cover the blackberries for the winter.

As for replanting in the summer, some gardeners also practice it. If you need to replant blackberries in the summer, follow these simple rules: carry out the procedure only in the early morning or late evening, when there is no active sun, and after replanting, water the bush thoroughly and create artificial shade for it.

Criteria for selecting seedlings for spring planting

due to the warmed soil, the garden bush grows faster and its root system is strengthened;
In spring it is easiest to determine the viability of a seedling;
It is possible to speed up the growth of the plant with care.

Every gardener should know certain rules associated with planting blackberries: preparing seedlings and soil, choosing a location and neighbors. All these points are extremely important for a fruit-bearing plant, because otherwise, you may not see the fruit.

When purchasing, carefully consider the cutting, its trunk and root system. There must be at least three large roots, there must be a basal bud from which shoots will subsequently begin to grow. The ground part of a blackberry seedling should consist of two stems with developed leaves of a good green color.
If possible, inspect the roots; they should be free of signs of rot or other damage. Do not take a seedling with wrinkled bark on the roots, this indicates that the seedling was dug out of the ground a long time ago.
Gently pry up the bark of the trunk with your fingernail. If the seedling is green inside, then the plant is alive, but if the seedling is brown, we can safely say that money and time will be wasted, since such a plant cannot be saved.

A sunny area is suitable for blackberries; in the shade the shoots will begin to stretch, and the fruits will be small and sour.
The plant does not tolerate close groundwater and low areas with stagnant water.
In an open space, strong winds cause mechanical damage to branches, so it is preferable to choose a place near a fence or near a building on the younger side.

Do not plant blackberries in areas where vegetables previously grew; usually, after vegetable crops, many pathogenic spores, namely late blight bacteria, remain in the soil. They live in the soil structure for a long time and are able to move to blackberry bushes, which are not completely resistant to this disease.
A raspberry tree would be an excellent neighbor; care for these cults is almost the same, and secondly, these plants have the same preferences.

For garden blackberries, it is better to identify a separate spacious area and plant the seedlings at a distance of at least two meters from other plantings.

Fertile and light soil is what is needed for the successful growth of blackberry bushes. It should be noted that she loves acidic soils, so you can periodically mulch the bushes with pine litter; such fertilizer will only promote the best growth of the bushes.

The embedment depth must correspond to the following parameters: 40X40X40. This is the size of the hole that needs to be prepared for planting. Organic and mineral additives are added to the hole, which are thoroughly mixed and moistened.

It should correspond to one and a half meters along the row, and two and a half meters between the rows. Supports should be made next to the seedlings; they will be needed for tying long shoots.

I would also like to say something about fertilizers that are incorporated into the soil during planting. The components necessary for the growth of young animals are added in the following proportions: rotted manure - 5 kg, potassium - 50 g, phosphate - 120 g. This amount of nutrition usually lasts the plant for two to three years.

Planting blackberries on a plot is a simple process, but even in this case the possibility of error should not be completely ruled out. Successful rooting of cuttings or adaptation of young seedlings to a new location are indeed very important tasks.

Therefore, it is worth considering the following possible inaccuracies when performing all actions:
purchasing a non-viable seedling (a seemingly healthy plant may have many hidden problems);
placing seedlings too close during planting, which in the future threatens to thicken the plantings and develop fungal diseases (you will have to replant the seedlings);
non-compliance with crop rotation rules (when planting shrubs in an area where raspberries were grown in the past, they may be affected by pests and diseases);
introducing excessive amounts of nutritional compounds or direct contact of organic matter with the root system of the blackberry, which often causes burns on the roots and death of the bush.

By following all the recommendations for organizing planting activities, the likelihood of problems with blackberries can be minimized, especially if further care of the plantings is properly organized. This applies to any cultivated variety of this crop, so by adhering to the points of the general guide, even novice gardeners will be able to get a good harvest of blackberry fruits.

Advantages

Planting in spring allows the crop to rapidly grow and develop its root system. The seedlings take root well and quickly begin to grow. There is no need to be afraid that they will die from the cold;
there is no need to take care of additional covering materials;
It is possible to monitor the growth of seedlings, timely apply fertilizers, water and weed.
spring planting is preferable for northern regions and for varieties with poor winter hardiness;

Flaws

a rapid onset of hot, dry weather is possible, which prevents successful establishment. Seedlings have to be shaded and often moistened.

When inspecting seedlings, pay attention to the condition of the root system. A healthy seedling has a root bud and at least 4 long roots (at least 10 cm). The diameter of the stem is at least 0.5-0.7 cm.
Carefully make a cut on the bark. If it is green, the plant will quickly take root and begin to grow. If it is brown, the shoot is not alive.
Wrinkles on the trunk indicate that the seedling was dug up long ago. There is a high probability that it will not take root.

When planting blackberries in spring, you must adhere to a certain sequence:

the planting area is cleared of weeds and dug up about a month before planting;
apply fertilizer. This can be done both before digging and portionwise into holes and trenches;
mark the planting site, taking into account the characteristics of the variety of each specific crop. A passage of at least 200 cm is left between the rows;
dig trenches, holes;
install trellises;
if fertilizers were not applied during digging, then they are applied in portions;
limit the area of further growth of blackberries with slate sheets and border tape;
After a month has passed after preparing the site, planting begins. Broken and damaged roots are trimmed; The root lobe is leveled to the ground level, then slowly covered with soil, not forgetting to gently shake the shoot. The last technique allows you to avoid voids - the soil will not settle in the future. The measles neck will end up at a depth of 2-3 cm.

after planting, the soil is slightly compacted;
a furrow is made along the trench (or around the hole) for more efficient watering and precipitation collection;
A layer of mulch is evenly distributed around the shoots, the optimal thickness of which is 5-10 cm. Peat, humus, and rotted straw serve as mulch.
The ground part of the seedling is shortened to 30 cm.

More and more attention of gardeners is being attracted by an unusually tasty berry - blackberry. Its main advantage is that, despite its taste and usefulness, the culture is surprisingly unpretentious. Just a year after planting, the bush will delight you with delicious fruits. The plant looks like a vine with prickly thorns, which are practically invisible under the foliage and berries.
The varieties that are especially popular today are: Thornless, Thornfree and Agawam. Despite the characteristics of each type, their main differences are in the size of the berries and their taste.

Russian gardeners everywhere plant raspberries and strawberries, to which they have long been accustomed. Only true fans of the southern-smelling berry plant blackberries on their plots.

It is best to plant blackberries in mid-spring; the soil will finally warm up to the required depth.

The plant develops well where there is a lot of light and no drafts. Do not forget that a strong gust of wind can cause irreparable damage to the bush. This can be a major obstacle to future pollination of flower stalks.

It is best to look for a planting site on a southern slope or on the western side of the garden plot.
Blackberries take root very well and quickly, growing in generously drained and nutritious media. To make the soil crumbly, you can mix it with sand. It is important to create these conditions so that water does not stagnate in the soil and the plant does not “suffocate.”

If the soil is carbonate, when preparing the planting hole, it must be fertilized with iron and magnesium.

The best guarantee of excellent blackberry productivity will be early weed control and disinfection in the area designated for it. These measures will also protect the unadapted plant from aphid invasion or the formation of destructive mold.

It is important to pre-nourish the soil with organic (manure, compost, ground egg shells) and mineral agents: 10 kg of organic matter, 15 g of superphosphate, 25 g of potassium sulfate. This quantity is provided for processing 1 sq.m.

How to plant blackberries correctly

In order for blackberries to take root and delight you with the harvest for a long time, they need to be planted correctly. Seedlings for planting should be purchased from specialized stores or nurseries with a good reputation. The best option is seedlings with a developed rhizome and at least two stems 0.5 cm thick or more. There must be at least one formed bud on the root system.

In the process of planting crops, professional gardeners recommend following the following rules:

Correct characteristics of the seedling and knowledge of its age are necessary to determine the width and depth of the planting hole. The distance between bushes and buildings or other plants should be at least 1 m.
In determining the distance between shrubs, the main role is played by varietal characteristics and the ability to form shoots, as well as the method of cultivating the plant. For bush planting, several bushes with a low level shoot formation planted in one hole. In this case, the following scheme is suitable: 1.8x1.8 m.
If the bushes have developed shoot formation, they are recommended to be planted using a strip method. The seedlings are distributed in a row at a distance of 1 m from each other. The row spacing should be at least 2-2.5 m.

To plant blackberries in compliance with technological requirements, you need to proceed as follows:

Loosen the soil, apply fertilizer and dig a hole or make a furrow of the required depth.
Carefully place the seedling in a hole or row, straightening the rhizome. Hold the plant vertically with one hand and carefully cover the root and base with soil with the other. The bud at the bottom of the stem is covered 2-3 cm.
Leave a small depression at the landing site. This will contribute to water retention during irrigation and the penetration of melt water.
Press the soil around the seedling and water thoroughly. Use 5-6 liters of water for each.
When the liquid is completely absorbed into the ground, you need to immediately mulch. For these purposes, you need to take compost from peat and chicken or horse manure.
Using extreme caution, cut off the tips of the shoots. There should be no more than 20 cm above the ground. It is also necessary to remove fruit buds.

How to care for blackberries

In order for the shrub to please with abundant fruiting and gain strength, you should take care of it. Necessary care measures include:

regular watering and moistening of the soil to prevent cracking of the soil from drying out;
loosening the soil for root respiration;
weeding;
preventive and therapeutic feeding and treatment;
pruning shoots to give the bush the desired shape.

Trellis are the best solution for preserving especially tall shoots. It is enough only with the arrival of spring warmth to install them in the ground and attach plantings to them. Having installed supports at the beginning and end of the furrow, you need to place them every 10 meters from the middle.

Between the supports you need to stretch the wire in three rows: at a height of half a meter, 1.25 m and 180 m. Bushes are tied to the highest wire in the second year of fruiting. There is no need to tie young shoots. As they grow, they themselves will cling to the necessary support. The most important thing is to control the direction of shoot growth. Otherwise, they will grow haphazardly, getting mixed up with other plants and taking on an unkempt, even abandoned appearance. This can also lead to damage to the bush.

Blackberries that grow upright will not produce a harvest the first year. To achieve a good yield next year, it is necessary to pin the main shoots with a height of 100-120 cm.

Pinching consists of the following manipulations: the tops of the bushes are cut off by 10 cm, and after the branches grow on the sides, you need to shorten them by half a meter. This guarantees the plant a well-groomed appearance without harming the yield.

Within 45 days after planting blackberries, the plant needs increased watering, especially during hot weather. Fruiting bushes require additional watering during growth, development and maturation of flower stalks. It is strictly forbidden to use unsettled tap water for these purposes. It is better to use rainwater or water that has been left in the sun for several days for irrigation.