When Should You Plant Blackberries?

Timing

• Plant blackberries early in the spring season. If ordering plants through the mail, purchase them one month in advance. Whenever possible, inform the retailer when you would like the plants to arrive. Once the plants arrive, plant them immediately. If that is not possible, store plants in a cool area of your home, wrapping them well.

Planting

• Planting differs according to the condition the plants arrive in. For plants with loose, exposed roots, dig a shallow trench and plant roots in soil to prevent dehydration. If you purchased your plants from a nursery, they should include a 6- to 8-inch staff emerging from the roots, which are packed into a ball. Use this staff to transport the plant. Lower the plant into moist soil, setting it about 1 inch deeper than the nursery planted it before purchase. Pat the soil into the roots.

Environmental Conditions

• Because blackberries are not particularly hardy crops, the warm climates associated with temperate regions suit them best. Avoid planting in areas prone to strong winds. Exposure to hot winds will cause burns and dehydration, increasing the plant's need for moisture. Exposure to extremely cold winds will damage the plant's cane, causing breakage.

Precautions

• Never plant blackberry crops in soil that once housed potatoes, peppers, eggplant or tomatoes. Doing so increases the chance of an infection called verticillium wilt. Similarly, do not establish blackberry plants in an area where fruit has grown. Planting where peaches, grapes, raspberries, apples or wild blackberries were harvested will cause root rot, crown gall infection, double blossom or other damage. Planting 1,000 feet away from these areas is enough to reduce the risk of infection.