There are many health benefits with growing blackberries and tons of different thIngs you can make, such as jam, pies, topping on salads and pancakes, smoothies or just to snack on. Health benefits include vitamin C, fiber, antioxidants which fight against the adverse impact of free radicals in the body. Vitamin k, vitamin A, and brain functioning according to a few studies found online. There is a few differ t ways to grow these and for this blog and DIY I did the thornless variety which requires a trellis.
to start with an easy cheap DIY trellis all you need is a pallet and stakes and can use chicken wire to keep the deer out if you are in the mountains like I am. This is a super quick and easy way to protect your plants and start growing them.
Plant preferably in early spring.
Planting may also be done in late fall, however, it should be delayed until early spring in very cold areas as low temperatures could kill some varieties.
Blackberries are all self-fertile, so multiple plants are not needed for fruit produce. Dig your holes and space your plants. I spaced 2 apart and then planted 2 blackberry plants.
Once planted over your blackberries, Set up your pallet at a 45 degree angle and brace with wooden stakes- we hammered in the stakes and screwed the stakes to the pallet. We did have a piece of rebar and some wire ties for extra bracing and added a bit of chicken wire on the back side which is extra protection if you have a lot of deer in your area. Here are a few pictures.
My dog Bronx was all About this project. Lol eventually the plants will grow up and around the trellis.
To care for these plants, Mulching is important to conserve moisture and suffocate weeds. Keep a thick layer of mulch surrounding plants at all times. Blackberries require plenty of moisture, especially when growing and ripening. Ensure plants receive one inch of water per week and more in hot temperatures.
This is a fairly easy DIY project you can do at home and add to your garden, for us I like black berry jam and want to add these to breakfasts and pancakes and for healthy snack options for my kids.
This was our first time planting them but there is a lot of information out there so stay tuned and we will let you know how they survive and hopefully get to share some recipes soon!
thanks for reading and stopping by!