Fruiting shrubs are a great addition to the yard, and blackberry plants are one of our favorites. However, there are specific times of the year to plant them to ensure they grow and produce fruit. Learn when to plant blackberry bushes based on your region and how to plant them indoors and in the garden.
There are many varieties of blackberries, from erect thorny to trailing thornless. Some cultivars trail and need proper spacing to grow, while others have an upright growing habit that makes them ideal for planting indoors, in raised beds, or in a small home garden.
Semi-erect and erect varieties like Arapaho, Chester, and Navaho do not need trellising. These are also thornless varieties, and harvesting berries at the end of the growing season is pain-free. However, it’s helpful to understand your hardiness zone when planting blackberry bushes outside since some areas have colder average temperatures than others.
Planting and Growing Blackberry Bushes
There are various steps to take when preparing to grow blackberry canes, from testing the soil pH through your local cooperative extension office to deciding when to plant blackberries.
While the process seems intimidating, growing a blackberry bush is not that difficult. Learn the difference between blackberry and dewberry plants to ensure you give them the proper care as they grow.
Find out when to plant a blackberry bush based on area and temperature and how to grow blackberries indoors and outside in the garden. In addition, discover plant care tips and how to use your fresh blackberries to prepare a fun dish.
When to Plant a Blackberry Bush According to Region
It’s essential to know when to plant blackberries in zone 7 vs zone 4 since the average temperature varies between different regions of the country. Explore when to plant a blackberry bush according to your USDA hardiness zone.
Blackberry Bushes
If you’re wondering when to plant blackberries in zone 5 and under compared to when to plant blackberries in zone 6 and up, it’s a good idea to understand the differences between USDA hardiness zones.
The United States is broken up into areas based on average low temperature – these sections are called hardiness zones. The lower the number, the colder the average temp.
While the many types of blackberry bushes grow just about anywhere, some are not as cold-hardy as others. However, for the most part, blackberry plants thrive in zones 5 through 10, and you can plant blackberry canes outdoors when they are dormant in early spring. The same is basically true for the raspberries growing season and other types of fruit.
How and When to Plant Blackberries Indoors
If you reside in a region with a short growing season and have adequate space in your home, why not try to grow these plants inside? Learn how and when to plant blackberries indoors.
A couple of things must be kept in mind when growing a blackberry plant indoors. The first is to choose an erect blackberry variety that does not require a trellis or staking. To grow blackberries in a pot, pick a container at least eight inches deep. Since you are growing the plant indoors, plant it at any time of the year, as long as you have a window that receives full sun.
Growing a bare-root plant is a little different than starting blackberries from seed. Obviously, growing seeds takes a lot longer.
Mix two inches of organic compost with potting soil in the container and dig a six-inch hole in the center. Set the plant in the dirt, cover the root system completely, pat the soil down around the plant’s base, and water it immediately.
Keep the blackberry plant in front of a sunny window, and allow it to grow freely for the first year. Prune the primocanes back to 18 inches in the spring of the second year to encourage fruiting canes.
How and When to Plant Blackberry Bushes in the Garden
Blackberry bushes are a treat to grow in the yard, whether you plant thornless, erect blackberries, or trailing brambles. Discover the best time to plant blackberries outside and how to get your plants started in the garden. Note that blackberries and mulberries are not the same and have varying growth requirements.
In late spring after the last severe frost, prepare the garden in a full sun location for planting cuttings or bare-root plants. Plant blackberries a half-inch to an inch deep in the soil, and space them with one plant every three feet. Spring is a good time to plant elderberry trees, too.
Water them and spread mulch over the bed to retain moisture. The best time to fertilize blackberries is right after planting, followed by a second application after harvest. Keep an eye on the new plants for pests like crown borers, aphids, and stink bugs, and use an insecticide when necessary.
Blackberries are biennial, and all varieties grow in the same manner. They grow primocanes in the first year and produce fruit on second year canes or floricanes.
To encourage new canes and healthy growth, it’s time to prune your blackberry bushes from the old canes after the fruit ripens and harvesting is over in late fall. Then, prune the plants again in early spring before new growth appears.
Using Fresh Blackberries to Prepare Crumb Bars
There are countless ways to use fresh blackberries in recipes, from pie and jam to cupcakes. However, these crumb bars are simple to prepare and perfect for snacking or breakfast.
Add the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, butter, egg, and a quarter cup of sugar to a food processor and pulse the mixture until the dough comes together. Press half the dough into the bottom of a lightly greased baking pan and set the rest aside.
Mix the lemon juice, blackberries, cornstarch, and a quarter cup of sugar in a bowl, and then pour it over the crust. Crumble the remaining dough mixture over the berries and bake in a 375°F oven for 40 to 45 minutes.
Growing your own fruiting shrubs is easy; it’s best to plant blackberries during the dormant season in early spring, but it’s possible to plant them in the fall if you live in a warmer area. However you plant them, these bushes reward you with abundant berries at the end of the blackberries growing season.
We hope you enjoyed discovering how and when to plant blackberry bushes, and we’d love it if you’d share our blackberry planting and growing guide with your family and friends on Facebook and Pinterest.