I have grown fruit trees in the past but never Blackberries. I have read that they need to be planted three FT. apart but that's about it. I hear they produce on horizontal branches but is that on second year growth? I bought a bundle of 25 Apache, thornless.
Who grows Blackberries?
Every year after the berries are over, cut the canes that produced very short. That encourages more blooms and berries. Blooms don't have to be on second year growth.
Ken,
Here's a great tamu article on growing blackberries in Texas.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/fruit/blackberries/blackberries.html
http://www.texasgardener.com/pastissues/sepoct08/Blackberries.html
kenboy.......charlene and her husband grow blackberries. i bet she could give you some useful info. i know she would tell you not to fudge on the distance. they planted theirs too close together and now it is very difficult for them to be picked. theirs are the thorned variety however.
bettydee, thank you so much for the links, it was very helpful. I noticed that the first one was co-authored by Marty Baker who was the Tarrant county Extension Horticulturists, when I was growing fruit in Fort Worth. He was so surprised to see my Golden Delicious doing so well in Texas. I have sat in many a lecture given by him. I live in the country now and will never move back to the city but there are a few thing I miss about living in the big city.
Now you got me thinking about tucking some of these in a corner. It would definitely have to be an upright, thornless...
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