Tips for growing cane berries

BLACKBERRY, BOYSENBERRY AND OLALLIBERRY

Collectively known as the Cane Berries, these are generally thorny vines that tend to mound up and cover whatever structure or trellis they are growing on.   The juicy fruits are formed in small clusters on the second year’s growth.  With diligent pruning, the vine can be kept under control, and your harvest will be maximized.   Choose a sunny location that can be readily watered during the early summer months when the fruit will be growing and ripening.   In the late summer, around Labor Day, remove the canes or vines that have just finished bearing fruit.   Then train the new years new growth so that it will be able to climb up onto your trellis.  This new growth will produce fruit during the following year.   When you are ready to plant your vines, dig a hole that is 1 foot deep and wide.  Mix 1 heaping handful of compost, 2 cups of landscape mix and worm castings, and 1 cup of cottonseed meal and azomite into the bottom of the hole.  Place the vine into the hole and fill the dirt back in around the root ball.  When the hole is half way filled, add, and incorporate into the hole, one handful of compost and 1 cup each of landscape mix, cottonseed meal and worm castings.  When the planting is done, add a 2” layer of mulch around the base of the vines.  In subsequent years, scratch 2 cups each of landscape mix, cottonseed meal and worm castings into the topsoil around each of your vines.   Replenish the mulch layer annually to keep the soil alive and kicking.


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