Blackberry – 10 Seeds

Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) is a prickly, scrambling perennial shrub which can grow up to 2m tall. Unlike the Thorn-less BlackBerry, this Blackberry  has prickly thorns on the stems / canes. This woody shrub forms canes that are initially erect, but often bend downward to re-root in the ground. These canes actively grow and form leaves during the first year, and develop fruits in the form of drupes during the second year.

The canes develop racemes with about 12 white flowers. The fruit is an aggregated berry, 10-20 mm long, changing color from green to red to black as it ripens. The fruits are seedy and have a sweet flavor when fully ripened. The root system consists of a taproot.

Growing Blackberry from Seed

• The seeds need to be stratified before planting.
• Place the blackberry seeds in a resealable plastic bag along with a handful of damp peat moss. Seal the bag, and place in a refrigerator.
• Keep the seeds chilled for 12 to 16 weeks.
• Fill seed trays with seed starter soil, and spread the blackberry seeds on top of the soil.
• Lightly cover the seeds with soil, and place in a warm area.
• Blackberry seed germination does not require bright light since the seeds are covered with soil.
• Mist the soil with water in a spray bottle whenever the soil begins to dry out.
• Once seedlings begin to sprout, move the tray to an area with bright light.
• When transplanting into the garden, select a planting area in full to partial sun.
• Pick a location with good drainage.
• Spread a layer of well-rotted compost over the planting area and work the compost into the top 8 inches of soil. This gives the blackberry plants a good source of slow-release nutrients. Smooth the soil with a rake.
• Dig holes with a hand trowel only as deep and wide as the seedlings’ root balls.
• Place the seedlings in the holes, and fill with soil.
• Gently firm the soil around the brambles so that they stand up.
• Water the soil around the base of the blackberry plants until it is slightly muddy.
• Give the berry plants 1 inch of water each week when there is no rainfall during the summer.
• Mulching benefits blackberry bushes by reducing weed growth, slowing soil moisture evaporation and providing slow-release nutrients. Keep the mulch layer thick throughout the life of the blackberry bushes.
• Can be successfully grown in containers as well.