How to Grow Blackberries in South Georgia

Planting

• 1

  Plant blackberries between December and March, depending on the variety, in south Georgia. Plant in a sunny, well-drained location where rain water will quickly drain away.

• 2

  Remove any weeds, grass, rocks or debris from the intended planting site.

• 3

  Lay 2 inches of compost or manure on the soil and dig it under with a shovel to a depth of 8 inches. Apply dolomitic lime if a soil test indicates the soil pH is below 6.0. Most soils in southern Georgia are on the acidic side.

• 4

  Sink two 7-foot posts into the ground to a depth of 1 1/2 feet. Space the posts 10 feet apart. Run three strands of number 9 gauge wire between the posts, spacing the wire 18 inches apart. This trellis will provide support for trailing blackberry varieties. Erect varieties don't need a trellis, although the use of one may increase yields.

• 5

  Dig holes deep enough to accommodate the whole root system of the blackberry plants, usually 8 inches deep. Plant trailing blackberries 10 feet apart; plant erect types 2 to 4 feet apart for a hedge and 8 feet apart for individual plants.

• 6

  Remove the plants from their containers. Place the plants in the holes, spreading the roots out if you are planting root cuttings. Set trailing varieties so the crown (the base of the root growth) sits 1/2 inch below the soil. Plant erect types with the root system 2 inches under the soil surface.

• 7

  Spread a 2-inch layer of wood chip or weed-free straw mulch around the base of the plants to conserve moisture and keep weeds down.

Care

• 8

  Prune trailing types back the second year to remove any dead canes. Tie new canes to the top wire and cut them 6 inches above the wire. In subsequent years, spread the canes in a fanning pattern, cutting back dead or diseased canes. Tie them to the wires, allowing canes to grow 20 to 50 feet. Cut erect varieties early in the summer of the second and subsequent years to 40 inches high. Maintain the plants at this height to promote a strong, healthy hedge. Cut out dead or diseased canes in late winter.

• 9

  Apply 1 lb. of premium 10-10-10 fertilizer with micronutrients per 9 feet of row in February or March for erect and trailing varieties. Apply an additional pound of fertilizer per 18 feet of row in June. Broadcast the fertilizer evenly in a band next to the row, taking care not to get it on the plant roots and leaves.

• 10

  Water blackberries weekly during hot, dry weather, especially when the plants are producing fruit. Water deeply so the soil is wet 8 to 10 inches under the surface.

• 11

  Monitor the blackberries for signs of disease. Blackberry diseases that affect plants in Georgia include anthracnose, rosette (double blossom), orange rust and crown gall. Plant disease-free varieties away from any wild blackberry patches. Cut back any diseased plants and remove weeds to provide good air circulation.

• 12

  Watch for insect pests. The two most common blackberry pests in Georgia are the strawberry weevil and the red-necked cane borer. Both of these pests generally cause minimal damage, although they may require occasional spraying. Cut out and destroy swollen canes damaged by red-necked cane borers. These small black and red beetles overwinter in the canes, causing further infestations.