How to Ripen Georgia Dewberries

Keep it well watered. Georgia dewberries have average water needs. They can fend for themselves, but if you give the plant one inch of water every week it will produce big, vigorous berries.

Fertilize twice annually: once in spring as soon as new growth begins for the season and again in fall, right after harvest. Georgia dewberries are often found growing wild with no help from human hands at all. But dewberries ripen best when they have all of the nutrients they need. The Utah State University County Extension Office recommends broadcasting a balanced 10-10-10 or 16-16-8 fertilizer within the drip line of the dewberry. Follow the fertilizer's instructions for application methods and amounts.

Harvest the Georgia dewberries when they are ripe. Like blackberries, Georgia dewberries ripen from green to black-red. If you harvest while they are still green and still have days to ripen and they will be inedible. Wait too long after the dewberries ripen and local birds or rodents may beat you to the harvest. Once the dewberries turn black, they are ready to harvest. Put on thick gardening gloves to protect yourself from the dewberry's thorns.