The Best Time to Transplant Wild Blackberry Vines

Season

• The most important thing to consider when transplanting a blackberry is the season. It is best to relocate the bush in the fall, just after the last of the fruits have been grown and harvested, as the plant begins to go dormant. If you are unable to transplant in the fall, you can move the vines in early spring instead. Make sure to do the transplanting before the plant comes out of dormancy, meaning before new growth begins.

Time of Day

• Blackberry roots can be sensitive to light and heat. The roots need to remain moist while exposed and sunlight can evaporate that moisture very quickly. Its important not to transplant in the middle of the day when the sun is at its peak. If at all possible, move the vines in the early morning or early evening. If this is not possible, be sure to have the new hole ready to go so that the blackberry's roots are exposed for as short a period of time as possible.

Size

• It's best to transplant blackberries when they are still young and relatively small. This is purely for ease of transport. If the blackberry is large it is harder to move and more likely to incur damage as it is transported from one place to another. If the plant you wish to transplant is larger, prune it down to 3 to 5 feet tall and wide. This not only makes moving the blackberry easier, it also promotes root growth in the plant's new home. Blackberries grow fruit on second-year growth, so by cutting back first year growth, you limit the plant's ability to bear fruit, thus giving it the opportunity to concentrate growth in other areas, such as root structure.

More Tips

• After transplanting, be sure to water the root system liberally for the first week or two. If you transplant in the fall, cover the soil around the root system with a 2-inch layer of mulch to prevent the roots from bolting. If you cannot transplant early or late in the day, place the blackberry's roots in a black trash bag while it is exposed to open air and light, so that moisture is better retained.