Wild Blackberries from the Garden

Wild Blackberries from the Garden

Rubus (lat. Rubus) belongs to the Rosaceae family and includes a large number of species. Its fruit is an aggregate of drupelets known as blackberries and raspberries. We can grow both wild and cultivated varieties, whose fruits are irresistible after harvest. Species differ in taste, color, shape and size of berries, and plants can be thorny or thornless. We also distinguish varieties that can be shaped, for example into ornamental arches or garden entrances, they can climb around pergola posts, outdoor seating areas, etc.

Growing Rubus

Blackberry and raspberry bushes are grown primarily for their sweet fruits, which are mainly used for direct consumption. The berries can be further processed into jams, syrups and preserves, used in cakes and fruit salads, skewers, chocolate fondue.

Raspberries and blackberries are a rich source of antioxidants, which are necessary for healthy functioning of human cells. They contain high levels of vitamin C. We can also use the leaves for a delicious tea. Tea leaves are collected in May to June, preferably in the morning, before the plant has flowers.

Rubus can also be grown from seeds. Seeds are best planted in substrate intended for fruit trees or in compost and covered with plastic film. It is recommended to soak the seeds in water overnight before planting. Grow in sunny but not too warm locations. We either bring Rubus plants in a root ball or transplant grown seedlings, so when planting we dig a hole 40 cm deep and about 50 cm wide. Soak the root ball in water for about an hour before planting. Plant the bushes, add peat and water well. Ground shoots on blackberry plants are those on which fruits will appear the following year. Therefore, we do not separate them from the blackberry plant. Cover the root collar with peat, or add compost or crushed straw.

Plants are planted from March to May. Ideally 2-3 m apart in a bed. Rubus also thrives when grown on a balcony. It is necessary to choose a suitable larger container with about 50l volume. The bottom must have water drainage. We don't leave balcony blackberries outside over winter, but move them to a place where it doesn't freeze. We prepare the container by putting small stones on the bottom, then a mixture of substrate and peat. Balcony plants should be fertilized, preferably with a two-component fertilizer. Balcony blackberries need support to which we gradually tie the growing plants. Container plants need plenty of water, but not waterlogging.

Pruning plants is also important, which we do in winter. We cut off two-year-old branched, fruited canes and leave and tie only a few young and strong shoots to the structure. If we have a grafted blackberry, we remove wild shoots from the rootstock.

Garden bed blackberries do not need winter protection. If we still want to, we can wrap the plant in black non-woven fabric.

Growing Raspberries

Raspberry is a vigorously growing shrub. Fruits form on the shoots of one-year-old canes, which grow from them in the second year. The cane then dies off. Raspberry requires a sunny location with full sun exposure throughout the entire ripening period of the berries. Solar radiation affects the quality of the fruit. We plant raspberries from March to May, in loose soil well supplied with humus. Raspberries are planted for 8-10 years in one location. So we choose it carefully.

For the raspberry, we dig a hole with a diameter of 50-60 cm and a depth of 40 cm. Before transplanting, we trim the roots and shorten the above-ground parts of the plant to 1/3 of their length. We plant individual plants at a distance of 0.5 - 1m from each other. During the growing season, it's best to water daily. Raspberries fruit on last year's wood, as soon as the cane dies off after fruiting, we can break it off for winter. Young canes can be shortened for winter, tied together, or to a support.

Our tip: hot raspberries with whipped cream :-P