BLACKBERRY, BOYSENBERRY, OLALLIBERRY AND RASPBERRY
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.
We are currently selling the following varieties:
BLACKBERRY
Triple Crown– A trailing, thorn-less blackberry. The foliage is dense, so the fruit ripens away from the sun and does not get scalded. This productive plant yields medium-sized berries that offer a tasty blend of sweetness and tartness. The fruit is borne uniformly, so it is easy to pick. Thorn-less, semi-erect canes may need support under heavy fruit load. Heat-tolerant. Ripens in early August. Self-pollinating.
RASPBERRY
Fall Gold- This is a unique, self-fertile, golden raspberry that has a delicious sweet taste, and can produce two crops a year. The berry flowers and fruits on the top 1/3 first year growth in the late summer and fall, and then will produce again on the bottom 2/3 of the canes the following spring. After the spring harvest, the canes can be cut down close to the ground and will re-grow and produce again later on in the year. Excellent fresh, or for preserves and pies. Can grow to be 4’ tall x 3’ wide.
Heritage- Heirloom variety that has long been a favorite of home gardeners. This is an “ever-bearing” variety that will produce a medium sized crop in the early summer, and then a larger crop in the fall. The fruits are very large, sweet, and dark red in color. Bushes will grow to be 3-4’ tall and wide. Heritage is self-fertile and does not require a pollinator.
Jewell Black Raspberry- A vigorous grower with high yields. ‘Jewel” has glossy-black, high quality, early ripening, large berries, with a rich, black-raspberry flavor. High-quality fruit is perfect for fresh-eating, making pies, and preserves. The sturdy and reliable canes produce big harvests — so plan to share or freeze the bounty. Ripens in early July. Self-pollinating. Resistant to most raspberry diseases and rots.