The Best Time of Year to Plant Blackberries

Root Cuttings

• There's more than one way to start a blackberry patch in your own backyard. Some gardeners start off with root cuttings. Pencil-width root pieces, about 4 to 6 inches long, turn into full-fledged plants when planted properly. Dig furrows about 2 to 3 inches deep for your cuttings, and arrange them in rows about 1 to 2 feet apart. The cuttings should be placed horizontally, and you shouldn't be able to see any sections protruding from the soil. Root cuttings fare best when planted in early spring, in March through to early April.

Planting Plants

• Planting fully-developed blackberry plants is another option to get your backyard brambles started. Blackberry plants should also be placed in your garden in early spring, but a bit later than cuttings, after all danger of frost has passed. In most parts of the country, mid-April is a safe time to plant. Keeping the roots moist is important for successful planting. Soak the root systems of the plants in water for several hours beforehand, and keep your plants rolled in damp burlap as you work until you're ready to put them in the ground. Cover each plant's root ball with 3/4 inch of soil and water immediately.

Cold Weather

• Blackberry plants aren't very tolerant of cold temperatures, so it's important to avoid exposing your new plants to frost, especially if you purchased tissue culture plants with shallow root systems. Some blackberry plants die when the temperature hits zero to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, and even the heartiest plants can't survive minus 10 degree temperatures. Gardeners in the northern United States can still cultivate blackberries, but should choose more cold-resistant varieties and protect their berry patches in the winter. Before the first frost, remove supports and spread your blackberry stems over the ground. Cover with a thick layer of mulch.

Getting More Plants

• If you want to expand your garden without buying more plants from the nursery, propagate the plants you already have. In the summer, curve the tip of one your blackberry stems downward so it grazes the surface of the soil. Weigh it down with a small rock to hold it in position. By next spring, the tip should have roots so you can dig up the section and move it to a different spot in your garden. If you plan on being a long-term grower, uproot your patch and start anew with store-purchased plants every five to 10 years. Plants pick up diseases and parasites over time, making them less prolific berry producers as time passes.