How to Train Berry Bushes to a Trellis

Place the posts in the ground in the desired growing area. The posts can be either treated wood or metal and should extend about 6 feet above the ground. Set the posts about 15 to 20 feet apart and space multiple rows about 8 feet apart.

Stretch two lines of wire between the two posts at about 3 feet and 5 feet above the soil surface.

Plant the bramble plants directly underneath the wires. Ideal spacing between plants depends on the fruit and growth habit. For example, erect plants can be spaced only 3 feet apart, while trailing blackberries require at least 6 feet between plants. Place the plants in the ground in early spring at the same depth they were previously grown and cut off any existing canes at the time of planting to discourage the spread of disease.

Cut off the tips of primocanes during the growing season. Primocanes are 1-year-old canes that do not produce fruits. Primocanes lack fruiting buds until they begin to develop in late summer to early fall while fruiting canes begin the season with fruiting buds before flowering and bearing. Cut off the tips of erect or semi-erect canes when they reach a height of about 3 feet; cut the tips of trailing cultivars at 40 to 48 inches. This pruning will encourage lateral branching.

Cut and dispose of all fruiting canes in late summer once all fruit has been picked.

Tie new shoots of erect cultivars to the wires in a fan shape once they have reached a length of about 4 feet. Spread the canes so that they will not become overcrowded and tie them to the wire with a plant tie or soft cloth or weave them through the wires. Erect and semi-erect canes may only require tying where they cross the wire. Trailing cultivars should be left untrained on the ground and covered with straw throughout the winter in cold climates, then tied to the wires once temperatures have warmed in spring. Weave the canes between the wires, then wrap the canes around the upper wire and spread them out, tying them to the wire as needed.

Prune lateral branches back to about 12 inches during the dormant winter season to encourage larger berries and easier harvest. Thin out primocanes so that only the three or four strongest per plant remain for erect cultivars. Leave six to 12 canes on trailing cultivars. Retain well-spaced, healthy, disease-free, strong canes with a good branching habit.