Can You Plant Blackberries & Raspberries Together?

Planting

• Raspberries and blackberries grow quickly and to a large size. Plant erect bushes 2 to 4 feet from one another and trailing varieties 3 to 5 feet apart within rows and plant rows 10 to 15 feet from one another. Raspberries and blackberries express sensitivity to frost. Plant both species in April or May to avoid potential damage or non-germination due to cold weather. The same timetable holds true for transplanted specimens, or those grown from seed in a nursery environment and introduced to the garden. Supply transplanted specimens with firm soil and water for ideal growth -- never allow the roots of a specimen plant to dry.

Culture

• Raspberries and blackberries prefer full sun exposure, ideally six to eight hours of direct sunlight a day. Constant watering promotes a healthy harvest of large fruits, though the plants do not tolerate soggy soil or standing water. Sandy loam soils rich in organic matter with a pH range of 5.6 to 6.2 are ideal for blackberries and raspberries, according to University of Maine fruit and vegetable specialist David T. Handley, as noted on the university website. Adding materials such as manure, grass clippings, compost and rotted saw dust to soil increases the organic matter content.

Maintenance

• Gardeners growing blackberries and raspberries together should use caution when fertilizing as the roots of both plants grow shallow and are easily burned by excessive use of fertilizer. Blackberries benefit from the application of a 10-10-10 ratio garden fertilizer at a rate of ¼ to ½ lb. per 100 feet of row length once in the winter (only in warm environments without frost) and once in the summer. Pruning blackberries and raspberries into a stable, consistent shape and removing unproductive branches increases plant health and fruit production.

Other Information

• Wild raspberries and blackberries easily out-compete garden specimens. Never plant bushes within 600 feet of their wild counterparts. When clearing wild specimens to make way for garden bushes, remove all parts of the plant from the area, especially the roots. Bushes grown in warmer climates such as Florida generally require no winter protection though those grown in colder climates such as New England benefit from being covered with a tarp or similar item during the winter months.