Growing Blackberries in Florida

Choose a site for the blackberries. They do best in full sun, but can tolerate partial shade. Ideal sites have well-drained soil, as blackberries will not thrive in wet soil or standing water.

Select a blackberry cultivar to plant. Good choices for Florida include "Brazo," a semi-erect variety that bears fruit early in the season, and "Kiowa," a thorny, upright variety that produces very large berries mid-season.

Plant the blackberry plants during the cool months of later winter or early spring. Space them 4 to 6 feet apart in rows. Dig shallow holes large enough for the roots. Set each plant in a hole and spread the roots. Cover with soil and tamp lightly.

Water the blackberries after planting to settle the soil. Continue watering to supplement rain so that the plants receive 1 inch of water per week.

Apply fertilizer in the early spring. Use 1/2 to 3/4 cup of 8-8-8 fertilizer per plant. Distribute evenly around each plant in a 2-foot circle.