Blackberries, depending on who you talk to, are either something to talk about or something to talk on. Since I’m not as familiar with the mobile telephone and email device, I prefer to talk about the fruit. It’s a fruit that many St. Tammany residents enjoyed picking and eating but have become less available with land clearing, roadside maintenance and herbicides. Rather than “beating a path through briers”, to get them why not grow some of the delicate fruit at home.
Basically there are two types of blackberries, the erect type and the trailing type. The difference between the two is how they grow. Erect berries grow on stronger stalks (canes) while the trailing types need to be supported with a trellis. Although the trailing varieties ripen earlier, their fruit is smaller. The erect type works best if you want to avoid trellising.
Berries can be planted in almost any soil type. Full sun and good draining are a must. Home gardeners should plant blackberries on 4 foot squares or in a hedge row fashion. The typical planting should be made in late winter / early spring. Root cuttings about the size of a pencil in diameter and length work best. After they are established, use 1/2 – 3/4 cup of 8-8-8, broadcast around the plant in the spring. Keep the fertilizer off of the stem.
Most varieties have Indian names. The Cheyenne and Shawnee are thorn, erect types. The Arapaho and Navaho are erect and thornless. Kiowa is also thorny and produces the largest “bigger than your thumb” berries. Newer varieties soon to be released are Natchez and Ouachita.
There is lots of other Blackberry information to find and talk about. You can find it on the lsuagcenter.com website. Of course, you’ll have to use the other kind of blackberry for that.