How to Grow Blackberries in Containers Organically

Growing blackberries organically in a container is a good option for gardeners with limited space and time. Select an erect blackberry variety, rather than a trailing type that requires a trellis, and place it in a warm, sunny location. In addition, select blackberry varieties well suited to your area. Cherokee, Cheyenne and Shawnee are common varieties with a good track record. Blackberries do not tolerate cold, dry conditions and are only hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 6. Erect varieties are more cold hardy than trailing types and require less maintenance. Raspberries are a better option for Northern gardeners.

5-gallon pot
Lightweight potting soil
Compost or manure
Pruning shears
Fish emulsion or bloodmeal

Instructions

- 1
  Fill a large pot with potting soil mixed with 1 gallon of manure or compost. These amendments improve drainage and add a source of nitrogen for the blackberry plants.
- 2
  Plant the blackberry plant in the pot, watering well to avoid transplant shock. Mulch the soil surface with 2 to 3 inches of wood chips, which will reduce moisture loss and stabilize soil temperatures.
- 3
  Water the blackberry plant two or three times per week, as needed, to keep the soil evenly moist. Blackberries are thirsty plants that need about 1 inch of water per week during the growing season. Containers dry out more quickly than garden soil and require frequent watering.
- 4
  Cut off the top 2 to 3 inches of the plants in summer to encourage branching and heavier fruiting. Cut back the canes that produced fruit to the soil level after harvest. In the late winter, remove all but four or five of the strongest young canes.
- 5
  Fertilize the blackberries in the spring by applying 1 inch of manure to the soil. If the plants show slow growth or have pale leaves, treat them with fish emulsion or blood meal during the growing season. Both organic fertilizers are good sources of nitrogen.

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