We are used to the fact that the blackberry is a forest berry, but recently new varieties and hybrids of berry bushes are increasingly seen on personal household plots. In temperate climates, the overgrown species of blackberry, which tolerate winter colds, are especially well suited, but the winters are difficult to tolerate in winter, especially if the weather is unstable-frosts are replaced by thaws. The process of planting a garden blackberry, as well as caring for it, in many ways resembles the cultivation of raspberries. From the article you can learn how to properly plant a blackberry in the spring.
How to plant a blackberry in the spring?
The planting of blackberries is best done in the early spring, immediately after the snow falls. In autumn it is also possible to plant berries, but there is a danger that the fragile seedlings will perish during the winter.
Choosing a site for planting blackberries
You need to start by selecting a location. Blackberries are well developed and abundantly fructifies if grown in well-lit places. In the shade, shoots are excessively stretched, and the berry is not so sweet. It is also important to choose an area where there is no stagnation of water. For blackberries, drained loamy soils with an average level of acidity are preferable. Agrotechnists note that this culture is injured in strong winds, so it is recommended to plant bushes in a place protected from the wind, for example, along a low fence at a distance of 70 - 80 cm from it.
Preparing for planting, landing a blackberry
The most convenient option for breeding blackberries is planting seedlings. Under each sapling, a pit of half a meter in width and depth is excavated. In the landing pit a layer of 5-6 kg of humus is created, 100 g of superphosphate and 50 g of potassium fertilizers. To prevent the roots from contacting the roots with fertilizers, a layer of soil removed from the soil is added, so that the pit is filled approximately 2/3. As follows, spreading the roots of blackberries, put in a deepening seedling and fill up the remains of the soil. At the same time, it is necessary to control that the growth bud is not more than 3 cm deep. It is imperative that the earth is ground to eliminate air pockets near the roots. After the bush is planted, the ground part is cut to a level of 30-40 cm from the surface of the earth, a shallow watering hole is formed, and the soil is mulched with a layer of humus.
When the blackberry dilates with root cuttings, the depth of the planting pit is 7-8 cm and the width is 10 cm. Green shoots are planted in holes 10-15 cm in depth, 20 cm in diameter. A little compost or humus is added to the soil. When planting several plants, the blackberry planting scheme is as follows: 1 bush in the pit at a distance of 1.2 m or 2 bush in a pit at a distance of 2 m.
Care for Blackberry Landings
For the convenience of care of the bush it is recommended to use trellises - poles buried in a row along the plantations of the blackberry 2 m high with a wire between them stretched in 4 rows. The lower row of wire is located at a level of 80 cm from the ground, the subsequent rows are formed every 40 cm. The shoots are fan-shaped tied to the wire as the bush grows.
Care for berry culture includes regular loosening of the soil,
For the winter under the planting of blackberries, a fairly thick mulching layer of humus, sawdust, etc. should be created to insulate the roots, and the young bushes themselves should be hidden from the cold under cover material.