How and when to plant blackberries in spring?
Planting blackberries in spring is the most suitable option for the central and northern regions, where winter comes early and quickly, and often very cold. In such conditions, a plant planted in autumn simply does not have time to take root and dies. That is why planting seedlings in the spring allows us to speak of 100% survival rate. Good results can be achieved subject to suitable agricultural technology, namely:
- adherence to landing dates;
- selection of quality seedlings;
- preliminary soil preparation;
- correct fit.
When to plant?
Timing planting blackberries spring can vary depending on the specific region of cultivation, on average it is the end of April. The closer to the south, the earlier landing is possible, and vice versa.
The main requirement for spring planting is that the blackberries should be planted in well-heated soil.
How to choose a seedling?
When buying planting material, you need to pay attention to its viability. A good seedling should have:
- developed root system;
- one or more stems about 0.5 cm thick;
- at least one formed bud on the rhizome.
Where to plant?
Place to grow blackberry it should be sunny: in the shade, the bushes will stretch, and the berries will not be able to fill with sweetness. Wind-blown areas should also be avoided as strong gusts can break the bush.
Blackberries love medium acidic soil.
Soil preparation and planting
For each seedling, you need to dig a planting hole 50 cm deep, while leaving a distance between the bushes of at least one meter. At the bottom of the hole, pour 0.5 buckets of humus, 0.5 tbsp. wood ash, 50 g of potassium sulfate and 100 g of superphosphate. Add the excavated soil and mix with a shovel. The planting hole should be filled with nutrient soil to 2/3 of its height.
Place the seedling in the center of the hole, deepening the growth bud to a depth of 3 cm. Cut the planted blackberry, leaving shoots up to 40 cm high, and water abundantly.
If the bush blooms in the year of planting, the inflorescences must be cut off so that they do not rob the plant of the strength necessary to build up the root system. But it is worth taking care of future fruiting in advance by installing supports for tying up shoots, especially in creeping varieties.