How to Train Blackberries

Training blackberries to a wire trellis improves production and aids in cultivation. Blackberries not trained to a trellis system may have some of the canes lying on the soil surface, which interferes with cultivation around the canes. Cultivation is required to eradicate weeds and improve moisture retention for the berry plants. Standard trellises utilize posts spaced 20 feet apart. Smooth wire is stretched between all posts. Semi-trailing blackberries need two wires at 3 and 5 feet while erect blackberries need a single wire 4 feet from the ground.

Leather gloves
Pruning shears
Soft string

Instructions

- 1
  Wear leather gloves as the thorns of a blackberry are ever-present. Even thornless varieties have some thorns.
- 2
  Remove all dead and broken canes from the blackberry plant after the summer harvest. Prune the green tips of the erect variety at a height between 30 and 36 inches. This will force lower lateral growth of the canes. Remove all broken and dead canes from the trailing variety, but do not prune for overall length.
- 3
  Tie the trailing variety canes to the upper 5-foot wire with smooth string. Arrange the upper canes in a wide fan shape. This allows for light to reach each cane and increases air circulation.
- 4
  Allow the erect variety to grow throughout the summer and autumn months. Tie canes to the single wire trellis when they exceed 4 feet in height. During the winter, prune back all lateral canes on the erect plants to an overall length between 12 and 14 inches.
- 5
  Remove all broken canes from the dormant winter season. Resecure the vibrant growing canes to the wires with smooth string before fruiting blossoms appear in early spring.

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