When to Plant Blackberries in Texas

Dormant Season and Year-Round Planting

• Blackberries are typically planted during the dormant winter season in their hardy zones either from rooted cuttings or bareroot plants. Blackberry plants grown from cuttings will not fruit in their first year but will begin to in the second year, with peak harvests beginning in the third year. Established blackberry plants from nurseries that are likely propagated in greenhouses can be planted out any time during the year. Early spring makes watering maintenance a bit easier, as you tend to have more natural rainfall and do not have to contend with scorching summer heat or drying winds. Nursery-grown blackberry plants are likely to be 1 year old and capable of fruiting when you receive them.

Planting Soil, Sun and Watering Requirements

• Whether planting cuttings, bareroot plants or established container-grown plants, blackberries enjoy a sandy soil in which water drains easily. They will thrive in other soil types provided they are deep soil beds with over a foot of room for the roots to penetrate, and the soil is well-drained. What you want to avoid is heavy clay soil where water does not drain well and organic matter content is low. If the soil is too heavy in clay to easily be altered by amending it, grow blackberries in raised beds for optimal performance. Provide a growing soil that is acidic to neutral in the range of 4.5 through 7.5 pH. Any higher pH and the blackberries will suffer from a severe iron deficiency. The soil will need to be treated or amended with elemental sulfur and iron sulfate or an iron chelate formulation. Allow plenty of room between plants with at least 3 feet between established plants and 2 feet between rooted cuttings. Give the blackberries plenty of water at planting, and weekly deep waterings or equivalent rainfall to the roots thereafter.