Blackberry

Blackberry Plants – Best In New Zealand!

Growing black berries in your garden delivers a vast range of benefits:

• Reduced food waste.
• Lower grocery costs.
• Fewer food miles and less plastic packaging, decreasing your carbon footprint.
• Convenience.
• Children can learn the plants and become more involved with nature.
• These plants will bring you pleasure for many years to come.

From Thornless Blackberry to blackberry bushes, we have the right blackberry plant for your space. Our fruiting plants have been selected to thrive in New Zealand’s climate. We stock only the highest quality plants, sourcing them from NZ’s leading nurseries. Each plant is packed and transported with extreme care, ensuring it arrives to you in the same condition it was in when it left the nursery. If you are wanting to buy blackberry plants, shop with confidence from the best in the industry.

Blackberry Questions

1. What is the best month to plant blackberries?

The best month to plant blackberries is anytime between autumn and spring. During this time the plants can establish before the heat of summer arrives. They can still be planted in summer, though it will be important to keep them well-watered as they establish.

2. Can you grow blackberries in NZ?

New Zealand provides the perfect climate for several blackberry varieties to thrive. The mild temperatures and sunshine create ideal conditions for growing blackberries. You can choose from various delicious varieties, like the thornless Tayberry, the ever-bearing Loch Tay, or the classic Oregon Thornless.

3. Where do blackberries grow best?

Blackberries are versatile and can grow in a variety of climates and locations, but they do have some preferences for optimal growth:

Climate:

• Temperate climates: These offer the ideal balance of warm summers and mild winters, allowing blackberries to thrive. Areas like the Mediterranean, Pacific Northwest, and parts of New Zealand fall into this category.
• Cool climates: With colder winters and cooler summers, blackberries can still do well, but they may need extra protection from frost and require longer growing seasons. Planting in sheltered locations and choosing cold-hardy varieties can help.
• Warm climates: Blackberries can tolerate hot summers, but they need consistent moisture and occasional shade to avoid dehydration. Early spring or late autumn planting can be beneficial in these regions.

Location:

• Sun exposure: Full sun (6-8 hours daily) is ideal for most blackberry varieties, promoting good fruit production and ripening. Some varieties can tolerate partial shade, but it may affect yield and berry sweetness.
• Well-draining, fertile soil that is rich in organic matter is essential. Blackberries don't like heavy clay or waterlogged soil. Amending the soil with compost or manure before planting can improve drainage and fertility.
• Protecting blackberries from strong winds can prevent canes from breaking and berries from falling. Planting near a fence or hedge can provide some wind protection.

Additional factors:

• Consistent rainfall, especially during fruit set and ripening, can benefit blackberries. However, excessive rain can lead to fungal diseases.
• Different blackberry varieties have varying needs and tolerances. Choose varieties suited to your specific climate and location. For example, thornless varieties might be preferred in areas with high foot traffic.

4. How fast do blackberries grow?

The growth rate of blackberries can vary, but generally, they're quick to establish and produce fruit.

New canes:

• Blackberry canes typically sprout new growth in spring, reaching their full length (around 6-12 feet (2-4 m)) quite rapidly, sometimes within a few months.
• Throughout summer, the canes continue to thicken and mature, preparing for fruit production.

Fruiting:

• First year: Some blackberry varieties, known as "everbearing," can produce flowers and fruit on the new canes as early as the first year, although the yield might be smaller.
• Second year: Most blackberry varieties will produce their main crop of fruit on lateral shoots that emerge from the second-year canes. These berries typically ripen in late summer or early autumn.

5. Do blackberries need a trellis?

While blackberries don't absolutely need a trellis to grow, it can offer several benefits that make it a highly recommended addition to your blackberry patch:

Support: Trellises provide much-needed support for the canes, especially as they become laden with juicy berries. This prevents the canes from sprawling on the ground, which can lead to:

• Reduced fruit quality: Berries touching the soil are more susceptible to rot and pests.
• Tangled mess: Canes can become a tangled mess, making harvesting difficult and potentially damaging the plants.
• Sunlight exposure: Trellises help ensure canes and leaves receive optimal sunlight exposure for photosynthesis and fruit production.

Easier harvesting: Trellises keep the berries within easy reach, making harvesting a breeze and minimizing back strain from bending over.

Improved air circulation: Trellises promote better air circulation around the canes, reducing the risk of fungal diseases that thrive in humid environments.

Space optimization: Trellises allow you to utilize vertical space, maximizing your garden area and potentially allowing for more blackberry plants.

Aesthetics: Trellises can add a beautiful and structured element to your garden, showcasing your thriving blackberry patch.

6. Do blackberries do better in shade or sun?

Blackberries generally prefer full sun (6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily) for optimal growth and fruit production:

• Sunlight fuels the plant's energy production through photosynthesis, leading to healthy canes, abundant foliage, and good fruit quality.
• Sunlight warms the berries, enhancing their sweetness and flavour.
• Sunlight promotes good air circulation, reducing the risk of fungal diseases that thrive in humid shade.

7. How much space do blackberries need?

Blackberries thrive with enough space to spread their branches and produce plentiful fruit. Here's what you need to know about spacing them:

Planting distance:

• Individual canes: Allocate around 3-5 feet (2-2.5 m) of space between individual canes within a row. This gives them room to grow comfortably and avoid overcrowding.
• Rows: Spacing between rows depends on the size of your blackberry variety and your gardening style. Typically, 6-8 feet (2-3 m) between rows allows for easy access and maintenance.

Factors to consider:

• Variety: Some blackberry varieties are naturally more compact, while others can be vigorous and sprawling. Choose spacing based on the mature size of your chosen variety.
• Training method: If you plan to train your blackberries on a trellis, you can adjust the spacing slightly based on the trellis design.
• Maintenance access: Leave enough space between rows for comfortable access when harvesting, pruning, and tending to your blackberry patch.

8. How do I make the soil more acidic for blackberries?

Blackberries generally prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. While raising the acidity of your soil requires careful attention, here are some safe and effective methods you can try:

Organic materials:

• Adding peat moss to your soil is a common way to lower its pH. Mix approximately 2-4 inches of peat moss into the top 12 inches of soil before planting your blackberries.
• Used coffee grounds are slightly acidic and can be a good addition to your compost pile. Once composted, they can be incorporated into your blackberry patch soil.
• Decomposed pine needles are naturally acidic and can help lower soil pH over time. Spread a layer of pine needles around your blackberry plants and let them decompose naturally.

Amendments:

• Elemental sulfur is a fast-acting soil acidifier, but it should be used cautiously and according to package instructions to avoid over-acidifying the soil. Always conduct a soil test before applying sulphur.
• Another effective soil acidifier, aluminum sulfate works similarly to sulphur. Remember to test your soil and follow package instructions for safe application.
• https://www.theplantcompany.co.nz/shop/product/fertiliser/fertiliser-for-acid-loving-plants is also very popular for acidifying soils and media.

9. Do you cut blackberries down every year?

Whether or not you cut blackberries down every year depends on the type of blackberry and your desired fruiting pattern. Here's a breakdown:

Everbearing vs. Primocane-fruiting:

• Everbearing: These blackberries produce fruit on both new and second-year canes. You don't need to cut them down every year, but you can prune them in late winter or early spring to remove dead or diseased canes and encourage strong new growth. This will lead to two harvests: one on the new canes in summer and another on the second-year canes in fall.
• Primocane-fruiting: These blackberries only produce fruit on new canes. You should cut them down to the ground every year in late winter or early spring. This encourages new canes to grow, which will be the only ones to produce fruit in the coming season.

Pruning tips for both types:

• Remove dead, diseased, or damaged canes at any time of year.
• Thin out canes to prevent overcrowding, aiming for 6-8 strong canes per plant.
• Shorten new canes by about one-third to encourage branching and fruit production.
• Use clean, sharp pruning tools.

Remember: Proper pruning is essential for maintaining healthy blackberry plants and maximizing fruit production.

10. How many blackberries do you get from one plant?

On average, each cane can produce around 20-40 berries during its peak fruiting season. A well-maintained plant with 6-8 strong canes (as recommended for optimal yield) equates to about 120-300 blackberries per plant.