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When to Transplant Blackberries – Important Things to Know!

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Tiny black, juicy, soft buds clustered together to form bunches that spout inside your mouth, tantalizing your taste buds with unique flavor, are undeniably the blackberries.

Blackberries are the all-time favorite berries.

A member of the Rosacea family, blackberries are power-packed with antioxidants and other nutrients of high value.

When to transplant blackberries is a topic of significant consideration for pro-organic people who prefer homegrown and organic produce over store-bought.

The taste of organic and commercially available blackberries is strikingly different, which is why people opt more for transplanting berries.

Let’s move further to unveil the steps that could lead us to a loaded blackberry bush in our yard.

is it too late to transplant Blackberry canes in May
is it too late to transplant Blackberry canes in May – via Reddit

When to Transplant Blackberries? | The Best Time of the Year

Wanna know when to transplant blackberries?

Timing matters the most! The growth and progress of your transplanted bush or plant depend primarily on the timing.

If you want to know when to transplant blackberries, you have to plan the best time based on the climate of your particular area.

Broadly speaking, the best times to transplant blackberries are Early Spring or Late summer after harvest.

Narrowing down the categorization based on climate, the best time to transplant blackberries in areas with colder climates is Early Spring before the new growth begins. In areas with a hotter climate, the best time to transplant blackberries is Late Summer after harvest.

Now that the appropriate timings for blackberries have been revealed, let’s study the process of transplanting these marvelous bushes.

The bush must be dormant before transplanting.

The blackberry bush becomes dormant in the fall before the new growth begins.

Characteristics of a Blackberry Bush

Before we pen down the detailed transplantation process, it is essential to know about the blackberry bush.

  • The bush has perennial roots and biennial canes.
  • Biennial canes usually produce fruit in the second year, then die, which is when we prune them.
  • For getting hands on an established shrub from the new canes that haven’t produced the fruits yet, these canes are pruned at tip layering by three feet.
  • These newly established plants are the best to get a handful of blackberries.

It is the best way to transplant the bush and generate a significant yield.

Propagated Blackberries “Transplanting Secret” – YouTube

Things You Need for Transplanting Blackberries

Following are the tools that you must carry to the field or yard:

  • Shovel or Travel
  • Damp newspaper
  • Bucket or bowl
  • Landscape fabric staples

Once you have these items in check, follow the steps.

Steps of Transplanting Blackberries

Here is a quick guide to planting blackberries.

  • Prepare your soil.
  • Choose a suitable location for transplanting the blackberry bush.
  • Prevent the roots clump from drying. It’s better to wrap the whole clump in a damp newspaper until it gets settled in the hole dug for it.
  • Dig a hole twice as wide and equally deep to accommodate the root ball.
  • Gently loosen the plant’s roots.
  • Once placed, backfill the hole with soil while gently tamping the soil.
  • Water thoroughly.

Now you know how and when to transplant blackberries, but it is essential to know some crucial things to consider while transplanting blackberries.

Things to Consider When Transplanting Blackberries

Every plant has a specific protocol to be followed if you wish for a productive yield.

Following are the few critical things to consider when transplanting a blackberry bush.  

Distance Between the Bushes

It is known that every plant in the field or yard should be placed at a considerable distance from the other.

The same goes for the blackberry bushes.

Blackberries expand and spread widely; therefore, a substantial distance between multiple bushes won’t cause a restricted growth of the neighboring plant.

However, the space is subject to the types of blackberry bushes.

The thornless species are suggested to be planted 18–24 inches apart in 36–48 inches-wide rows. The indicated distance for erect or semi-erect species is 24–36 inches in 48–72 inches wide rows.

The trailing types grow well when planted at a distance of 48 inches apart in 72 inches wide rows.

Enough Sun

Blackberries love the sun!

When transplanting blackberry bushes, always focus on the location.

The location should be good enough to receive plenty of sunlight.

If your target is to achieve a handful of blackberries produce, let them bask in the sun for more extended periods.

Acidic Soil

Blackberries are acid lovers—they thrive well in acidic soil.

The soil pH of blackberries should be around 6 for the transplanted bush to grow well.

Before transplanting the blackberry bush in your yard, it’s better to go for a soil test to detect the nature of the soil.

Adding sulfur can help resolve the problem if your soil is not acidic.

Well-Drained Soil

Besides being acidic, the soil must be well-drained and rich in organic matter.

If the soil is not of higher quality, you can turn it organic by adding compost or manure.

The soil shouldn’t be over-watered, or chances for fungus to grow and thrive are probable.

Blackberry Transplant Shock

Plants often experience a transplant shock.

In an effort to relocate a thriving plant, transplantation shock might hit them hard.

This happens because the relocation, uprooting, and removing the plant from its firm base are the events for which the plant is not ready.

This sudden change upsets the plant to the extent that it shows signs of shock or upset. The dropping plant is indeed a sad sight to witness.

Look out for signs and symptoms of transplant shock.

You may notice the fruit drying up; the plant will not look fresh but sad. The leaves may turn yellow or brown; you may also experience wilting of your plant.

Blackberries often face an upsetting situation, so the gardener must be aware of them.

Blackberries on a table—when to transplant blackberries?
Once you know how and when to transplant blackberries, you’ll enjoy your homegrown berries in no time—Image via Shelley Pauls.

Conclusion

When to transplant blackberries is no more a curiosity.

This guide helps you figure out the right time to translate the blackberry bush and treat friends and families to the best homegrown blackberry recipes. 

The jam and pies made with these organic blackberries will be the talk of the town for a long period.

Transplanting a blackberry bus is no rocket science.

This guide helps you understand the good amount of sun, the type and nature of the soil, and the distance that must be considered when transplanting the bush.

Regards.