I want to raise blackberry plants and would like to end up with enough fruit for my family, and enough to share with a couple friends. I want a sweet berry, with a little tartness, just right for cobblers and pies. How many plants should I buy, and would it be worth spending a few more bucks for 3 year old plants instead of 2 year old? Any help will be appreciated, as I am not the sharpest pencil in the box, when it comes to planting things. Thanks, Guys, jim Peterson Carson City, Nevada
A single Blackberry bush can produce 10 to 20 pounds of fruit in one season.
Plant as many plants as you have space for! You will be rewarded fresh berries for you and all of your friends!
Plant the nicest sized plants that are economical for you.
Here are some links with more information.
http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/18929/ec1303.pdf
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/growing-blackberry-bushes.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/blackberry-pruning.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/blackberry-calico-virus.htm
How to feed and what fertilizer?
In the early spring give your plants a granular fertilizer. 1 pound of 20-20-20 granular fertilizer per 25 feet of plant.
Scatter at the base and scratch and water in.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/growing-blackberry-bushes.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/blackberry-pruning.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/blackberries-not-fruiting.htm
We have a blackberry bush that produced last year and had new growth. This spring the new growth has buds but the original bush looks dead. Will it come back or does it only grow on the new one?
Here are some articles that will refresh you on the care of the plants and pruning information.
Fruit is produced on the canes that are two years old, and once they have produced fruit they are done. These canes are pruned from the plant and new canes grow in.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/growing-blackberry-bushes.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/blackberry-pruning.htm
When is the best time to plant the clippings? When I planted my clippings, the main bush was beginning to leaf out; and I planted my clippings about 6 inches deep with 2 buds. Did I do anything wrong?
Here is an article that will help you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/propagating-blackberries-cuttings.htm
Are blackberries with thorns (not certain of variety - Navaho?) allelopathic? Having trouble growing lettuce next to my small blackberry patch. I know it might be the retarding effect of a tangle of traveling vines underground, but the number of berry sprouts popping up is not THAT much, plus the tiny lettuces are shallow-rooted. Problem made me wonder if blackberry is allelopathic. Any suggestions?
No, there is no research that shows Blackberries causing growing issues to other plants.
Lettuce plants can be finicky about soil and prefer cool weather to grow.
Here are some links with more information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/lettuce/growing-lettuce-containers.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/lettuce/growing-lettuce.htm
Can I start a blackberry bush from a couple of blackberry fruits?
Here is an article that will help you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/propagating-blackberries-cuttings.htm
Is there an way to sweeten the fruit? Lime? Fertilizer? Mulch?
The sweetness of the fruit can be dependent of the variety and the weather.
Lots of warm sunshine is also needed to grow fruit. If the weather is less then ideal, the fruit may not be as good.
Also make sure you are harvesting at the right time. If the fruit is still shiny, it's not ripe yet. When it loses it's shine it is ripe.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/growing-blackberry-bushes.htm