GARDEN IDEAS
Growing Blackberries
(from 'How to Grow Blackberries' - see below)
Blackberries are high in vitamin C and anti-oxidants and really do help to keep your body healthy. Blackberry leaves, as well as the fruits, have been used medicinally for many years. Blackberry leaf tea is sold commercially as a tonic and pick-me-up - organic fresh leaves from your garden will do even more
A small cup of fresh blackberry leaf tea every day will help build the immune system and in turn help prevent colds and flu bugs.
Buy a hybrid variety especially suited to small gardens or containers from a reputable local supplier. Some varieties are thorn-less but may need a little extra TLC.
This huge blackberry is available at Thompson and Morgan UK. There are loads of berries you could grow outside your kitchen door or even on a balcony. Check out the different varieties
Or there are other ways to propagate if you have access to a healthy established plant:
Layering:
Start with a healthy well-established plant with low growing branches. Choose the lowest healthiest branch and stretch out along the ground. Peg to the soil where it naturally touches the ground. Use a V shaped peg (part of a branch or something similar). Don’t use anything sharp as you may damage the branch.
Water well, and mulch during the winter months if it gets cold in your region.
By the following spring the branch should be developing roots where you pegged it. If it’s growing well, cut from the main plant and allow to grow on. If it’s too close, the new plant can be transplanted. Do this carefully to avoid damaging the roots.
You may have to wait a little longer than the following spring for the new plant to get going. Be patient and try not to move it too soon.
Cuttings:
Cuttings should be taken from a healthy plant after it has finished fruiting for the year. Cut lengths of stems and push the cut end into potting compost or well-prepared seed beds. Look after them through the winter. They will need watering if kept indoors, and probably protecting from the cold if outdoors.
Always plant more cuttings than you’ll need. They don’t always work!
Again, the following spring, the cuttings should have started developing roots. If the plants look healthy and are starting to produce leaf, then they are probably ready to move to their prepared spot in the garden. If not, be patient!
Growing Blackberries in Containers:
Use large containers as blackberry plants need space to grow. Fill well-drained containers with fresh organic compost. They must be well-drained. Plants take nutrients from the soil, and the plant will benefit from a feed from time to time, and the soil should be renewed when re-potting.
Always remember to water pots and containers. Plants can’t find water when their roots are contained. And the soil often dries out more quickly in containers. This depends on where your plants are kept but generally care should be taken that container plants get enough water.
Full growing instructions and care and maintenance tips in this growing guide from Healthy Living Books. There are even a few recipes thrown in, in case you have too many to eat in one go! All for less than the price of a packet of seeds :-) Download from your favourite retailer on this page -
Happy Gardening!