Advice on planting a blackberry bush.

[nightshade]

Blackberry makes one of (if not the best) the finest wines

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by hedgehog whisperer

Thanks everyone for your advice. I am keen on Blackberries because strangely it is one of the only soft fruits that I am not allergic to. Strawberries etc make me very ill.

I am now a proud owner of a small Loch Ness stem. The lady at the garden centre advised that with careful pruning it should not grow to big.

Well I let you know how I get on. Planting when I have a weekend free.

There are things that you can do to maximise your crop. Firstly before planting dig in as much organic material as you have available down to two spade spits. Secondly grow on a support so that air and light can get to two sides - a good guide can be found at:

Pruning and Training Thornless Blackberries

CM

[hedgehog whisperer]

Thanks very much I'll check this out. My Friend has her horse at the near by stable I think I will invite her round for tea and see if she can let me have a bucket or two or gardeners gold.

[Varan Komodosky]

Tell you what I put in this year - Jostaberries, three of 'em. Can't wait to try them next year.

[juliejam]

I moved into this house with the biggest bush of Blackberries ive ever seen..asking the neigbours about what they knew and they told me it had been there for over twenty yrs..It took up much of one side of the garden and was even growing up into the holly tree..well since then ive removed most of this as it was getting out of control ..leaving enough behind.You will need to do quite a bit of pruning on this one ..as in one yrs growth ive had side branches nearly six foot spreading across the garden.
going for a thornless type would be a good idea as with the older it gets the bigger the thorns and even wearing gloves they can still get through..
The benefit of having fresh Blackberries and ice cream is just lovely ...

Julie

[hedgehog whisperer]

Originally Posted by Varan Komodosky

Tell you what I put in this year - Jostaberries, three of 'em. Can't wait to try them next year.

These look very interesting are these native to the UK or are they a hybrid? Gooseberries and blackcurrants mix, nice!

[Varan Komodosky]

Hybrid of blackcurrant and gooseberry. Never tried the fruit, but it's supposed to be the dog's bllks.

[hedgehog whisperer]

You'll have to let me know next year, I’ll pop it in my dairy. I wonder what the Jam would taste like? This fruit has me quite intrigued.

[Varan Komodosky]

I'll certainly keep you informed.