Blackberry Growing: Intermediate Techniques for Better Harvests

Introduction

You've established blackberry plants and want to improve your harvests. This intermediate guide covers strategic variety selection for extended harvest, detailed pruning protocols for each growth type, trellis system design, and integrated pest and disease management.

Advanced Variety Selection

Creating an Extended Harvest Season

By selecting early, mid, and late-season varieties, you can harvest blackberries for 6-8 weeks or more:

Thornless Erect Varieties by Ripening:

Thornless Semi-Erect Varieties:

Trailing Varieties (Mild Climates):

Disease Resistance Considerations

Climate Considerations

Cold climates (Zones 5-6):

• 'Chester' (most cold-hardy thornless)
• 'Illini Hardy' (thorny but very cold-hardy)

Hot climates (Zones 8-9):

• Trailing types perform well
• 'Natchez', 'Ouachita' handle heat

Humid regions:

• Disease resistance critical
• 'Navaho', 'Osage', 'Apache'

Detailed Pruning Guide by Type

Understanding the Cane Cycle

Identifying canes:

• Primocanes: 5 leaflets per leaf
• Floricanes: 3 leaflets per leaf

Erect Blackberry Pruning

Summer (during first-year growth):

1. When primocanes reach 3-4 feet, tip them
2. Cut off top 2-3 inches
3. Forces lateral branching
4. More fruiting wood for next year

After harvest:

1. Remove all floricanes at ground level
2. They're done—will die anyway

Late winter (before bud break):

1. Thin primocanes to 4-6 per linear foot
2. Remove weak, damaged canes
3. Shorten laterals to 12-18 inches

Semi-Erect Blackberry Pruning

During first-year growth:

1. Train primocanes to trellis
2. Do NOT tip primocanes (reduces yield)
3. Allow to grow full length

After harvest:

1. Remove all floricanes at ground level
2. Tie new primocanes to trellis

Late winter:

1. Thin to 5-8 canes per plant
2. Shorten laterals to 12-18 inches if long

Trailing Blackberry Pruning

During first-year growth:

1. Allow primocanes to grow on ground
2. Or loosely coil on lower trellis wire
3. Do NOT tip

After harvest:

1. Remove floricanes at ground level
2. Weave primocanes on trellis for next year

Late winter:

1. Thin to 8-12 canes per plant
2. Distribute evenly on trellis

Primocane-Fruiting Varieties

Option 1: Single fall crop (easiest):

• Mow all canes to ground in late winter
• New primocanes fruit in fall same year

Option 2: Two crops:

• After fall harvest, leave canes
• Fruit again on floricane portion in summer
• Then remove and allow new primocanes

Trellis Systems

T-Trellis (Most Common)

Materials per 100 feet:

• 4 end posts (4×4, 8 feet)
• 6-8 line posts (4×4, 7 feet)
• 2 cross-arms (2×4, 2-3 feet)
• 400 feet high-tensile wire

Construction:

1. Set end posts 2.5 feet deep, angled out
2. Set line posts 2 feet deep, 15-20 feet apart
3. Attach cross-arms at 4-5 feet height
4. Run wire on each side of cross-arms

V-Trellis (Higher Yields)

Concept:

• Two angled trellises, 30° from vertical
• Primocanes trained inside
• Floricanes trained outside

Benefits:

• Better light penetration
• Easier harvest
• 20-30% higher yields possible

Single Wire (Erect Types)

Simplest system:

• Single wire at 3-4 feet
• Keeps canes upright
• May need support at 5-6 feet for tall canes

Fertility Management

Annual Fertilization Program

Nutrient requirements:

Fertilization Schedule

Organic options:

Warning: Avoid over-fertilizing—excessive nitrogen causes soft fruit and disease.

Pest Management

Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD)

Raspberry Crown Borer

Japanese Beetles

Cane Borers

Disease Management

Orange Rust (Most Serious)

Critical: There is NO cure for orange rust. Infected plants must be completely removed.

Anthracnose

Double Blossom (Rosette)

Cane Blight

Propagation

Tip Layering (Trailing Types)

Process (late summer):

1. Bend primocane tip to ground
2. Bury 2-3 inches deep
3. Roots form by fall
4. Sever in spring
5. Transplant new plant

Root Cuttings

Process (dormant season):

1. Dig root sections (pencil diameter)
2. Cut into 4-6 inch pieces
3. Plant horizontally 2-3 inches deep
4. Keep moist
5. Shoots emerge in spring

Suckers (Erect Types)

Process:

1. Dig suckers with roots
2. Cut cane to 6 inches
3. Replant immediately
4. Water well

Season Extension

Early Harvest

Late Harvest

Record Keeping

Track annually:

• Variety performance
• Harvest dates and yields
• Pest/disease occurrences
• Fertilizer applications
• Pruning dates
• Weather events

Conclusion

Successful blackberry production at the intermediate level requires understanding the different growth types and their specific pruning needs. Proper trellis design, proactive pest and disease management, and strategic variety selection can dramatically improve both yield and fruit quality.

Ready for more? Our Advanced Guide covers commercial production, intensive management, and the latest cultivation techniques.