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Written by J J Fields
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Blackberries
are a juicy, delicious fruit that is as fun to eat as it is good for
you. These berries can be eaten as a snack, in a salad or baked into a
golden cobbler. Summer brings a new crop with true blackberry lovers
biting at the bit for their first taste of the season.
The plant
To grow blackberry plants a visit to a local garden shop
is a must. While there, the various plants can be browsed making it easy
to choose one for the garden. Pick the healthiest looking plants for your garden.
A
hardy plant, the blackberry grows well in slightly acidic soil.
Blackberries are a common sight along the roadside in southern states.
Blooming in late April or early March, the plants brighten the
landscape with tiny white flowers that will ripen to the favorite black
fruit by late June.
The best garden spot
Blackberry
plants grow best in full sun to very light shade. These plants spread,
so a large place where they can grow freely is desired. The soil should
be tilled or broken up well with shovel or hoe. Add a small load of
manure or other compost to the soil and mix the soil well again with a
tiller or other garden tool.
Planting
For
the plants to grow and produce the best harvest they need to be planted
about 4 feet apart. Dig a hole for each plant as large as the container
the plant came in. Next add fertilizer and water to the hole. Place a
blackberry plant into the hole level with the top of the soil the plant
has been growing in. Fill in around the plant with garden potting soil.
Tap the soil lightly with the head of a hoe or with your foot around
the plant to seat if firmly in the garden. Water new plants well.
Mulching to boost growth
Adding
mulch to new plants helps to protect the roots and helps control
moisture in between watering. Along with this benefit mulch adds
nutrients to the soil and plants especially if it is an naturally
organic mulch, such as hay or straw. Some gardeners use pine straw .
The crop
Whether
it's a handful with the first crop or berries by the bucket full the
harvest will be a joyful time to enjoy this dark purple, black, juicy
fruit. For best production keep these plants well watered during the
blooming and early fruiting stage.
When
picking blackberries be aware of thorns unless plants are a thorn-less
variety. Enjoy the bounty naturally, add the berries to cereal or bake
them in a favorite pie recipe.
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