How to Plant Blackberries in Florida

Choose a location with good air flow, well-drained soil and with easy access to water. Hilltops, though rare in Florida, make great locations, because the airflow is stronger than in valleys. Valley locations encourage frost damage, so they should be avoided. The location should have full sun to partial shade, but production will be greater in full sun.

Prepare the soil in the summer or fall before planting in the winter. Work the soil down 1 foot at least; you can use a rototiller if you have one available. Add plenty of organic material, such as peat moss or compost, to ensure the soil is well-drained, and be sure to till, dig or plow it into the soil so it is mixed well. Adjust the soil pH to between 5.5 and 6.5. Use 5 lbs. of dolomitic lime to raise the pH one unit per 100 square feet of planting space. Use 1 lb. of elemental sulfur to lower the pH by one unit.

In Florida, plant blackberries between December and February. Be sure to keep bareroot plants moist before planting. Dig a hole the depth of the root system and a little wider and carefully place the plant in the hole, spreading the roots. Erect blackberries should be planted in rows that are 4 to 6 feet apart. Plant trailing blackberries 4 to 10 feet apart.

Water the seeds gently. Newly planted blackberries require 1 gallon of water per hour for two to four hours per day. Always water blackberries from the bottom and never from above the plants. If your soil holds water, reduce your watering.

Continue to control the weeds surrounding the plant. Apply mulch to reduce weeds. Weeds can also be mowed if there is enough space between plants, or you can use herbicides. Plastic mulch is the most effective mulch for weed control.

Install a trellis system that the blackberries can be trained to. You can use a simple support wire system.