The Best Soil to Start New Blackberry Cuttings

Site Location

• While blackberry cuttings can tolerate some shade, try to choose a planting site in full sun. Cuttings require good air circulation and water drainage, so avoid planting them in low-lying areas. Add organic matter to the soil to give the blackberries more nutrients. The site should be free of any pests and weeds.

Soil

• Blackberry cuttings can be planted in any type of soil--even heavy soils, unlike other berry crops--as long as it's well-drained and has the proper pH levels. For best results, choose soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. If the pH is below 5.5, add lime in amounts specified on the packaging. If the soil is above 6.5, work sulphur into the soil.

Planting

• Plant blackberry cuttings between December and February and spaced 2 to 4 feet apart with rows spaced 3 to 5 feet apart so the roots have room to grow. Don't allow the roots to dry out. Avoid transplant shock by planting the cuttings at the same depth as they were at the nursery. Compact the soil around the cuttings to eliminate air pockets.

Considerations

• Apply mulch such as grass clippings and bark chips at least six months before planting clippings, recommends Missouri State University. The only nutrient you need to apply each year is nitrogen, with others based on the results of a yearly soil test. Do-it-yourself test kits are often available at private labs and universities as well as gardening centers and hardware stores.