How To Grow Thornless Blackberries - PART 2

My second video on Thornless Blackberries - answering many of your questions!
Topics include: new canes, tools, structures, containers, propogation, irrigation, birds and lots more

[@fransfairgarden4044]

You covered what I needed to know…everyone else said to cut those nice long canes to 4’….you gave me the long trellising option validation! Thank you! Fran

[@SustainableStace]

Hi Fran - I'm glad it was helpful!

[@aman4peace]

In our garden, we have bird feeders that help we went to see a friend of my wife and her husband used bird feeders so they would be taking so much of them. I do admire him sharing that too.

[@aman4peace]

We have in our urban garden out front of our house in Quebec Plumb cherries and Cherry trees for cooking out front Black Raspberries. we have different kind of varieties of summer and summer-fall Raspberries So I tip them off. and we will have raised beds. with a verticle gardening our back

[@patacon54]

My mother’s favourite berry, she made wine, jams and there was always daily fresh juice, her grandchildren still talk fondly about granny’s juice and jam. I just planted my first vine last year and it is packed with fruit! Got 3 babies that I’m giving away Thanks for the tips! You get so excited that is contagious! Thanks again from BC Canada

[@SustainableStace]

What great memories - thanks for sharing Josef!

[@fredlom-up3th]

Last year I purchased 3 blackberry bushes, by luck 2 were TC. I’m really looking forward to this season after watching your informational packed video! I’m pumped, thank you.

[@SustainableStace]

Hi Fred - amazing, i'm glad for you. I hope it goes very well!

[@sac-5350]

Easy to follow you, grateful 4 ur tips & tricks ;) now subscribed!

[@SustainableStace]

I'm glad we found each other - Thanks for the sub!

[@growingoutthebox]

Very informative

[@IGotADroneYay]

As far as I can tell, the need for fertilizer and soil acidity have a lot to do with your local soil quality. I have TC blackberries, thornless boysenberries, and Navajo blackberries that I planted in my clay-heavy ground soil, and they just didn't grow. They didn't die, but they didn't thrive either. After a year I dug them up and re-planted them in raised beds, with acidic bagged soil and fertilizer, and they finally sprang to life. I hope we can finally start getting berries next year.

[@terrim.602]

Thanks for the tip!!

[@Redandranger]

Question --- once you have buried your dripline, how can you check to see that it's not plugged/chewed through etc (ie working) each Spring?

[@SustainableStace]

Great question Geoff. It's essential to do that! Once I turn it on for the the first time in spring, I start at the bottom end of the line and walk along it toward the start/tap end of the line. If the bottom end is stopping outflow and a trickle is visible in a few spots along the line, then any breaks/crimps will have a tell tale sound of hissing OR you'll see water gushing. It's super easy to spot check and confirm all is well or do a quick fix as needed.

[@vikvanderhaeghen200]

Thanks man, very informative. Subscription: check! Sane logic on the birds question too. We should share

[@audreymcmillen3410]

How do I prep my thornless blackberries for winter. Do I wait to trim them in the spring? I'm a zone 6.

[@SustainableStace]

Great question! 1. When the fruiting is done on this year's canes that produced, cut them off at the ground. Then you'll be left with the canes that grew up this year to produce fruit for next year. 2. When the newer canes are starting to grow leaves in spring (but long before they flower) prune, tie or train them as you wish for max production, beauty, strength etc based on what your goals are for them. wishing you abundant growing !

[@barbaraperry2796]

You are an amazing teacher, lol! Thanks.

[@SustainableStace]

Thank you for the encouraging message Barbara!

[@gtrgenie]

Thanks! Now I know which canes to cut. I started with 1 Triple Crown in a pot and have 5 now. I share too. Plus the birds eat worms and bugs. Win win.

[@SustainableStace]

Thanks for sharing - way to go :)

[@SmidgetPIU]

Thanks for making a follow up video. One thing you didn't touch base on is the soil PH. I keep reading that blackberries like a slightly acidic soil. Seeing as how you don't fertilize them each year, did you do anything to amend the planting area when they were initially planted? Thanks!

[@SustainableStace]

Hi James - thanks for the question. I've found them to be so resilient and productive that I've never worried about soil pH and do nothing to amend soil for them. Whereas I do amend my garden beds with lime each spring when I start to plant. Now, to be fair, I'm living west coast/rainy where the winters typically result in acidification of the soil already and so I think our natural default is about perfect for the thornless beauties.

[@rebeccadixon5963]

Thank you for this. I am working on getting our BlackBerry's growing upwards and not running on the ground. I have a question. When starting out with low growing plants should I just add mulch and wood chips slowly to build the ground up as I get them to grow upwards? I dont want to add to much at ones and smother the plants.

[@SustainableStace]

Hi Rebecca! Building up the soil at the base is good! The most important thing is to trim the lateral branches so that the main trunk/stem goes up! As you remove the lower lateral branches it will gladly move upwards to accomplish your mission :)

[@denaoller]

Does the pressure treated post leach chemicals into the soil and into the berries? Love your videos!

[@SustainableStace]

It's a good question. Newer methods of pressure treating allege to be safe and any / minimal leaching have no negative health impact. There are different methods of pressure treating. Some (older methods such as Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA)) are known to leach and were clearly not safe.

[@frankdavidson9675]

i use pressure treated 4x4 post om my scupernong vines with no ill effects about 6 yrs old now

[@Z123-q8m]

Another great video with awesome information. Thank you! Since you cut the old producing canes, I’m assuming this mean you have to re trellis next year?

[@SustainableStace]

I tie each year's canes to the same structure.

[@Darthdoodoo]

I went nuts and bought every kind of thornless blackberry plant i could get online and from the store. I got every kind you could want and some are insanely huge. If u like berries get tayberry plants they are giant red blackberries and are so good

[@SustainableStace]

I've been wanting to get tayberries. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@lukeonderko8696]

have you ever had an issue having raspberries and blackberries close to each other? ive heard that raspberries can pass disease on to blackberry

[@SustainableStace]

Good question. I do have them near to each other. I definitely find raspberries to be prone to disease. And, I've seen them pass disease from one row of raspberries to another of the same. But, I've never seen my thornless blackberries struggling with their health or affected negatively by proximity to raspberries.

[@lukeonderko8696]

@@SustainableStace thanks! im putting in some ark freedom thornless blackberries here in wyoming and was going to plant them near my raspberries then i heard that! we will see. BTW, i just found your channel and its awesome, especially that you are a hunter as well.

[@rushbayou5230]

coukd u not shove them cut offs into the ground to get more ?

[@SustainableStace]

Yes, you could root a cutting.

[@iambilly]

" ...yes, you can grow thornless blackberries in pots, they will rock your world there." Thank you kind sir, I need my world rocked and now I know just how to get it done 😁

[@SustainableStace]

YES!

[@celiamangrai7015]

Packed with information and great tips. Love your energy. Overall really enjoy your video. I purchased two Shortcake variety. I would like to know the differences between the shortcake and Triple crown. How do you train the vines differently?

[@SustainableStace]

Awesome! Thank you :) I always appreciate encouragement Celia.

[@melanieg3563]

I just bought 2 blackberry bushes from a big box hardware store in middle of March. About March 29th I planted them in 2 containers. I used a mix of topsoil and aged cow manure that I purchased I let it sit mixed well together till the top soil started to become loose then planted it. It's now within the first week of April 1 one of them looks like it's dead, and the other looks like it will die soon. I'm in zone 6b on the east coast. It's been colder and we've had a lot of rain. The containers have lots of drainage. I also put some mulberry cuttings that I have in the same soil they have green buds on them and the roots are growing well. My question is there anyway to save the blackberry bushes?? Or do I need to to just let them go to see for sure if they're dead or dormant?? They're in container's in my backyard in full sun we've had temps in the the high 20s and even snow, I was not able to get them covered. The containers are 20 inches across n 20 inches deep the one I'm concerned about did have a what seem to be a shoot popping up. It now is dying off. It was like a pink reddish color with green. I uncovered slightly to see if was growing, but it's all brown with no growth. So I'm assuming it is dead. IDK what to do. Should I or could I bring it in side? My last frost date is about May 15th.

[@SustainableStace]

Hi Melanie - quite a blackberry saga. It sounds like you've put plenty of effort in. If they're dead - nothing will work. If there's life, you'll know within 4-6 weeks. I'd wait. My last frost is usually around April 15-20. My mature, deeply rooted plants are just starting to sprout a bit of leaf action now.

[@eyeonart6865]

I thought they did not need trellis if Ark kind?

[@charlottepatterson4576]

I learned a lot and love how you make it easy to understand. The trellis is beautiful, great video!👍😁

[@SustainableStace]

Thanks so much 😊

[@FlowerSofie]

Thank you for your info. I have a question. I bought in a garden center a thornless blackberry plant. The first year it was ok. But now there are new stems growing with thorns on it. Does it help if I cut them away, or does it keep giving new stems with thorns? I had that in the past also and cut everything away, but under the dirth meters away new stems with thorns kept coming. I feel dicouraged that the new plant I bought has the same problem and I don’t trust the garden centers anymore. Have you an idea? Thank you,

[@SustainableStace]

That sounds frustrating. Thornless blackberries don't have thorns. I have more than 30 plants now and I have never had a thorn. I can understand why you don't trust the garden centre. You should go to someone who is growing them and get runners/starts from them.

[@Will324]

How about trying to grow them along chainlink fences? Btw, these blackberries taste delicious in oatmeal .

[@SustainableStace]

The chainlink would be great for support. You could lash the vines to the chainlink - brilliant!

[@alannaianfrei8724]

Thanks for all the info on blackberries. What climate zone are you in? I'm in zone 5A and we get a lot of die back from our cold winters.

[@SustainableStace]

You're welcome for the info. We're in Zone 8 - west coast of Canada. blessings on your spring efforts in the garden :)

[@jnviljoen5679]

Stace, two questions. 1) when you grow blackberries and raspberries in clumps say 1.2m high do you still need to stake/support them and 2) when you grow them in clumps can you plant alternate raspberry, blackberry, raspberry, blackberry in the same bed? Thanks for your time.

[@SustainableStace]

Hi JN Yes - you need to support both. I show how to tie raspberries to a wire in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5nIn3yaZ9mGZtk And in this video about thornless blackberries - around the 5 min - 6 mins mark I do the same: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJjKcquFmriropY I guess you can alternate but it will make for more work - could look cool though!

[@jnviljoen5679]

@@SustainableStace thank you, Stace, for taking the time to answer me so thoroughly with links and all. Your videos are very informative and much appreciated. (I just asked a question under your Blackberry video, when you have time. Thanks Stace and take care, JN

[@kathycook1815]

That video was chock full of valuable info on blackberries. Thanks. Love your ideas on the arbor. I have had a few planted in the ground for a few years that, for some reason, just did not survive and the ones that have survived are "just sitting there". After watching your video, I am tempted to move them to another location - when should I move them out - I am in zone 8b 60 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico. These things should be growing well here - don't know what might be wrong. I notice that you use coffee sacks so much in your gardens - are you using them for weed barrier and/or mulch to hold in moisture? They are very expensive to purchase - any other more economical alternatives other than cardboard that can be unruly at times. Love watching your videos.

[@SustainableStace]

Thanks for connecting Kathy. I'd suggest you move your blackberries after they're done producing - prune your new canes back (the ones that'll fruit next season) and dig 'em up to relocate. I've found cardboard (if you can get large pieces) is the easiest to work with but needs something additional to hold it down so it doesn't blow away on windy days. I get my cardboard, coffee sacks and mulch all for free. Shredded, dead leaves work well and straw too!

[@kathycook1815]

@@SustainableStace Thanks so much for your information.

[@jimfitzgibbon5492]

My question is. I have some thornless plants I bought off the net. They were very small so I think they were started from seeds. They are heathy but very slow growing. I have them In pots growing in potting soil. But it is July here in Okla & it can get hot this time of year. I keep them watered & move them under my covered back deck in the heat of the day. I,m Just afraid they will no get large enough to serve the winter? Your thoughts?

[@SustainableStace]

Hmm . . . yes they do likely need some critical mass to make it thru the winter ahead. Are you planning to keep them in pots or plant them into the soil? If they're as small as you're suggesting, they need a mass of soil around them and lots of mulch as well for winter insulation to survive.

[@VictoryPa]

Thank you. O have mine in a large container and doijf great - lochness thornless

[@SustainableStace]

Sounds great! I've not grown that variety. it's great to hear it's performing well for you in a container .

[@parskaroon-if6id]

Hi! How much should be the ph for blackberry?

[@SustainableStace]

Firstly - i'll say they are very adaptive and resilient, I've never treated or amended my soil's pH for thornless blackberries. But, they prefer to be in 6 to 7 pH happy growing !

[@davidgreenwood9239]

Can I put pine needles around the black berry’s

[@SustainableStace]

Hi David - good question. They'll take a long time to break down. And they are real good at suppressing weeds. I don't have access to pine needles so I've not used them before but, I bet they'll do well. If others have input on that, i'm curious what they say! Happy Growing

[@rogerknight2267]

Planted one last spring and it’s producing berries as big as my thumb. It only has three laterals, but also three five foot canes that I just pinched in hopes of encouraging laterals to grow. My granddaughter loves going out to check for berries. Just planted another one . They’re so much easier than say fig trees.

[@me5768]

You live in a nice green plush area so I can understand that you can share with the birds. But I live in the desert. If I grow blackberries grapes or any other type of fruit, the birds will come in mass and strip the tree or bushe in 30 minutes of everything.

[@SustainableStace]

I hear you. What do you grow that is most successful for you? How do you best control the onslaught of birds etc ?

[@me5768]

@@SustainableStaceBelieve or not but asparagus does great here. I net everything!

[@bowler8]

Arent those around the top going to die next year so you have to start again?

[@SustainableStace]

Sorry - I don't understand your question.

[@delanaespinoza]

What is the difference between shoots and canes?

[@SustainableStace]

Hi Daniel - I think of Canes as established and mature i.e. able to produce fruit. Whereas, I think of shoots as new growth that's still tender and immature, not yet ready to produce fruit.

[@joanneholcombe735]

Dont you have to fertilize in a container?

[@SustainableStace]

It's a good question Joanne - thank you. Yes, if the plant is restrained by being in a container then you'll need to feed it. Perhaps some rotted compost, aged manure or some organic fertilizer - or a mix of all. Happy Growing!

[@Apollo-407]

I bought 15 bucks worth of tc blackberry seeds off Facebook n got 150 seeds lol

[@yvonneknight6482]

I have 2 osage blackberry bushes that I added to my patio garden. This year from Waldorf Maryland loving it my 2nd year growing my own

[@angelasmith2010]

Do I still need to trellis if I put mine in a 5 gal container?

[@SustainableStace]

Hi Angela - welcome to the channel! You'll need something to support the primary canes. It cannot hold itself up. A trellis would be ideal.

[@terrim.602]

I have been slowly increasing my blackberry row. Each year new stalks emerge and I transplant them along the trellising fence. We'd like to have a 50 ft row of blackberry vines. I have clay soil, so I have to amend the soil as I go. Where I live, we have to pay attention to timing! The berries come on late, almost the end of the season berry crop. This is when the hornets are wanting to suck the juice out of the berries. Im thinking of netting them this year the hornets cant get to them, and I dont get stung picking them!

[@SustainableStace]

Sounds like you are finding ways to have blackberry victory in the midst of clay soil and hungry hornets. Way to go !

[@damedesmontagnes]

What about Chester? How big does it get?

[@SustainableStace]

Hello and welcome to the channel. I've never grown Chester before. Here's a link that has that info: www.starkbros.com/products/berry-plants/blackberry-plants/chester-thornless-blackberry

[@damedesmontagnes]

@SustainableStace Thanks. I found out that the canes can grow to 10' long. So I may put them on an arch

[@heavymechanic2]

Last spring I planted Blackberry plants in 20 gal grow bags, the nursery pots were DOA from winter kill. Had a Ponca and Navaho bare root on order and later found Arapaho at a local garden center. There were a few berries in late summer and the Arapaho has an aggressive growth habit much like your Triple Crown. My intentions were to have the smaller upright canes and not build any support. I may need to replace the Arapaho plants with starts from the Navaho due to better size management.. I saw a trellising video in Alabama that was interesting, it was a thorny type on a berry farm.

[@SustainableStace]

It's awesome that you are trying out 3 varieties of thornless blackberries. Good luck as you grow!

[@MikeDawson1]

I'm assuming you're referencing Kiowa blackberries at Petals from the Past. They're very thorny!

[@kennethflynn2469]

Nice your making trellis but after it fruits second year you cut them off at the ground so pointless. Better trim to height about 4-5 feet let lateral branches grow and produce more fruit

[@SustainableStace]

With my variety of Triple Crown, each stalk only fruits for 1 year. What I'm cutting off and removing will no longer fruit.

[@tommyluck19]

Thanks, Brother! I just found your channel, I will follow You

[@SustainableStace]

Welcome! Thank you Tommy :)

[@carinasoria8445]

Wow this is so nice and it's so nice that you share with the birds

[@tiredofwinning5204]

To scare birds away from your berries Just hang a few aluminum pie pans near your plants.

[@SustainableStace]

Great idea - yes, they can be very helpful when they twirl and reflect light.

[@kevinhampton7215]

Dude, it was action packed. Loved the sharing principle . Thanks

[@SustainableStace]

I'm glad you enjoyed it Kevin! You're welcome :)

[@Klingmoto]

Inspiring! Followed your example.

[@SustainableStace]

Wonderful!

[@fayeclarke5979]

Fantastic! Explanation so clear. Thank you😊

[@SustainableStace]

I'm glad it was helpful! Thanks for the feedback Faye.

[@scroat4]

Awesome vid.

[@missourigirl4101]

I have these same blackberries. Thank so much for the ideas!

[@SustainableStace]

You are so welcome!

[@scrumptiousjdp]

Thanks! ... great info and a lovely demeanor!

[@SustainableStace]

Hi Julie - I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@sandramedina94]

Can I grow them in Florida?

[@SustainableStace]

Great question. Florida has a range of growing zones from 8-11. Thornless blackberries generally are good up to 8 or 9. 8 is the coolest. 11 is the warmest. So . . . the answer is 'it depends where you live in Florida'

[@frankdavidson9675]

black berries grow wild along roadside or in a field with no care ???????

[@SustainableStace]

That's true Frank. In our area they are an invasive species - very difficult to eradicate - and they overgrow everywhere they can!

[@frankdavidson9675]

@@SustainableStace have you tried roundup spray

[@bernard3612]

Okay, in a pot, now how to train or manage?.......

[@SustainableStace]

Hi Bernard I'm glad to try to help. However, I don't understand your comment/question. Can you please ask a complete question so that I can understand you more fully?

[@bernard3612]

@@SustainableStace Thanks! So planted in a large container for a month and growing great! But lots of long feelers and vines. now what?

[@AnneluvsKatz]

Bravo! I share too❣️

[@SustainableStace]

Yay! Thank you!

[@michaelvittori8525]

Great video !! I use zip ties to anchor the plant to the stake. Also, tulle works good to protect the berries from birds.

[@SustainableStace]

Those are great ideas! Are your zip ties reusable?

[@michaelvittori8525]

@@SustainableStace It's not practical to reuse them. 500 zip ties cost less then $20 on Amazon, which is about 4 cents apiece. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078YCF8M3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@pergolanatural3805]

gee! thanks, it's now time to touch my blacberries, been hangin in my garden for years and wasn't able to spend my time with them beacause of my lack of knowedge growing them😢 thank you bro! mabuhay ka!👍

[@SustainableStace]

You're welcome ad salamat po.

[@pergolanatural3805]

you're welcome Sir