How to Properly Space Blackberry Bushes

Choose the best place for planting your blackberry bushes, which may just be a single cane when you purchase it. Make sure the area is well-drained so that moisture will not build up.

Turn your soil using a shovel and rake it to smooth it out and remove any large rocks. Spread some organic matter, such as compost or fertilizer, on the soil and rake it in thoroughly.

Plan out the spacing of your blackberry bushes by setting the plants along the ground. Plant at least three blackberry bushes in fairly close proximity to each other to allow for cross-pollination.

Lay out your blackberry canes anywhere from 4 to 13 feet apart. Use the 4-foot spacing for plants that will remain small and compact when mature; use the 13-foot measurement for sprawling and climbing blackberry bushes. Use an 8-foot measurement for every other type of blackberry bush.

Pull any canes that you want to plant up against a fence out from that fence about 2 feet. This will allow for adequate airflow in and around the canes of the plant -- even when it matures and gets larger.

Dig a hole about 5 inches deep. Unwrap the blackberry cane, spread out the roots and place it in the hole. Cover it with soil and pat it down.

Repeat with the other canes using the appropriate spacing.

Trim back the blackberry canes so they are about 10 inches tall to encourage new growth for next year's berry production.