Advice on planting a blackberry bush.

[hedgehog whisperer]

I would like to plant a blackberry bush in my garden, and I was wondering if any one could advise on a couple of questions that I have.

When should I buy / plant it? I have seen them in the plant catalogs and they are advertising them now, but do I plant it now or should I wait until the spring?

Also does it need a lot of sun light my garden is quite shady a lot of the day.

[nutmeg]

Blackberry canes will grow ok in most soils (but not too dry if you want decent fruit) and even in deepish shade - but best berries are produced in full sun. I think it's recommended to plant in mid-October, when the soil is still warm - but ok until March as long as the soil isn't frozen or water-logged.

[hedgehog whisperer]

Originally Posted by nutmeg

Blackberry canes will grow ok in most soils (but not too dry if you want decent fruit) and even in deepish shade - but best berries are produced in full sun. I think it's recommended to plant in mid-October, when the soil is still warm - but ok until March as long as the soil isn't frozen or water-logged.

Thank you for your advice I’ll hold off from buying one just yet, I wait until October.

[smartie]

I've not found any conditions in which blackberries will not grow. And very vigorously too. The cultivated ones are a bit less thuggish than the wild ones, but not much. I'd recommend planting it somewhere where you can keep it reasonably contained, unless you want your whole garden filled with escaped brambles in a few years.

[hedgehog whisperer]

Originally Posted by smartie

I've not found any conditions in which blackberries will not grow. And very vigorously too. The cultivated ones are a bit less thuggish than the wild ones, but not much. I'd recommend planting it somewhere where you can keep it reasonably contained, unless you want your whole garden filled with escaped brambles in a few years.

Do you think growing it in a pot or a raised boarder would be better?

[Varan Komodosky]

Perhaps consider a thornless species? I believe Loch Ness is pretty good. Mind you, there is plenty of other options - such as Brandy Wine Berry, Tayberries, Youngberry. Don't believe me? Google them.

[naturelover]

Originally Posted by Varan Komodosky

Perhaps consider a thornless species? I believe Loch Ness is pretty good. Mind you, there is plenty of other options - such as Brandy Wine Berry, Tayberries, Youngberry. Don't believe me? Google them.

i hate to say this but dont do it,you will regret it in a few years you will have suckers growing all over the place,my mate did this then she had hundreds popping out the ground,they are so and soes to get rid of too very spitefull,sorry to spoil your fun with this bad news try rasberrys or blackcurrants they are not so bad,but if you want blackberrys please dont let me put you off too much,i love them too.

[nightshade]

I have a couple of thornless Blackberry bushes one of which is trained up
a trellis (sorry do not know the variety) they do need watching as it is in
their nature to colonise vigorously

[rscott74]

I agree about blackberry - I have enough problems try to get rid of wild ones. I have got 2 tayberry bushes which are thornless and easy to manage as well as providing fruit for birds and the home.

[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.