Types of Soil for Planting Blackberries

Organic Material

• The ideal type of soil for planting blackberries is one that is high in organic material. Sandy soils are ideal, but if the garden soil has a heavy clay content it can be improved by adding organic material such as compost, manure and organic fertilizers like wood ash before planting. Another way to raise the organic content of soil before planting bushes is to plant a cover crop the season before. Growing cereal grains on the soil that is ultimately destined to be home to blackberry bushes then plowing the crop under will increase nutrient content, as the grains act as fertilizer.

Water Retention

• Soil should be extremely well drained, and there should not be standing water allowed to collect around the roots of the blackberry bush. Moist soil will encourage growth, but standing water can rot roots and negatively impact the integrity of the bush. This soil quality is equally important in garden settings as well as in containers. Even soil with a sandy makeup that typically allows for drainage can be compromised when in low-lying areas or areas near ponds and other water features.

Acidity

• Soil pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline the soil is. A soil sample can be tested by a college extension office to determine the current level of alkalinity, and while students or instructors on hand may be able to give guidelines, there are some simple measures to take to get the soil to a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. If the soil type is low in pH, an application of limestone can help to raise it. Apply 5 lbs. for each 100 square feet of soil; for smaller or larger patches of soil, the amount of limestone can be figured out using that number as a basis. To lower the pH, use 1 lb. of sulfur for the same 100 square feet of soil.

Starter Soil

• Potting mix can be used for planting blackberry bushes in containers. This type of soil has the added benefit of being disease- and pest-free, having never been exposed to the elements or any other plants that can potentially spread bacterial or fungal diseases to the soil. Potting soil can be one of the most efficient ways to not only grow bushes in containers but to start young plants before the bushes are moved outdoors and into the garden. Soil that is already rich in nutrients can be used right from the nursery or gardening store to plant root cuttings or suckers from adult plants.