Water Damage on Brambles

Brambles and Excessive Water

• All brambles are intolerant of wet soil. Of all the varieties of brambles, blackberries survive overwatering better than most, but only temporarily. Even they cannot tolerate waterlogged soil or standing water. Blackberries will grow in almost any soil if proper drainage is maintained. Brambles should never be planted where water is likely to accumulate. Saturated soil is likely to cause Phytophtora, a type of root rot. Even high humidity is often harmful to brambles. It can cause powdery mildew, spur blight and fruit rot.

Drip Irrigation for Brambles

• None of the brambles like wet feet, but raspberries are more sensitive to wet soil than blackberries. Because irrigation is needed during the fruiting season, the University of Georgia recommends a drip system to control the amount of water they receive. The soil stays moist but is not saturated. Keep track of the rainfall each week. Subtract that amount of water from the weekly amount required by irrigation to avoid overwatering. If irrigation is controlled, crop yield is greater. Water early in the day so the soil has time to dry out before nightfall. Wet soil at night causes the plants to be more sensitive to disease.

Raised Beds and Trellising

• In wet areas where rainfall is frequent and often heavy, brambles should be planted in raised beds. Beds are commonly at least 16 inches high. The beds should be 3 to 4 feet across to allow for spreading. Some varieties of brambles are more susceptible to cane disease than others during the wet season. Damaged canes may be attacked by pob druplet. Berries suffering from pob druplet will be small and fail to fill out. Trellising or staking is advisable for taller bramble varieties. This prevents canes from dragging in the water.

Diseases and Freezing

• Even if only temporary, water-saturated soil can result in serious damage to brambles. Plants are less able to ward off soil-borne diseases and are more vulnerable to fungi and insect attack. "Your Pocket Garden Guide" suggests use of a fungicide if wet weather persists. Freezing sometimes causes water damage to brambles. Check the bramble leaves for a water-soaked or darkened appearance. This may mean the female parts of the plant have been killed, even if the leaves show no damage. Some varieties of brambles are better survivors of a freeze. The Navaho, a thornless variety of blackberry, is an example.