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You can start thornless blackberries by choosing a variety that doesn’t have thorns.
Varieties like Chester, Triple Crown, and Natchez are popular thornless blackberry options for home gardeners.
The best way to start thornless blackberries is from bare-root plants or rooted cuttings rather than seeds.
If you’ve been wondering how to start thornless blackberries in your own backyard, you’re in the right place.
Starting thornless blackberries isn’t complicated, but timing and proper planting give you the best head start.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to start thornless blackberries, where to plant them, and how to care for them as they get established.
Let’s dig in.
How to Start Thornless Blackberries the Right Way
How you start thornless blackberries depends on whether you’re planting bare-root stock, rooted cuttings, or transplants from a nursery.
Each method works well when you follow a few simple steps.
1. Choose the Right Time of Year
The ideal time to start thornless blackberries is in late winter or early spring while plants are still dormant.
Planting during dormancy gives roots time to settle in before the heat of summer arrives.
In milder climates, you can also start thornless blackberries in late fall.
2. Pick a Sunny Spot With Good Drainage
Thornless blackberries need at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day.
Good drainage matters just as much because soggy roots will rot quickly.
If your soil is heavy clay, amend it with compost or plant in raised beds.
3. Prepare the Soil Before Planting
Thornless blackberries prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
Work in plenty of organic matter like compost or aged manure a few weeks before planting.
This gives your thornless blackberries a nutrient-rich start.
4. Plant at the Right Depth
When you start thornless blackberries from bare-root plants, dig a hole wide enough to spread the roots.
Set the crown about one to two inches below the soil surface.
Space plants three to four feet apart in rows that are eight to ten feet apart.
5. Water Deeply After Planting
Give your newly planted thornless blackberries a thorough watering right after planting.
Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged during the first growing season.
Once established, thornless blackberries are fairly drought-tolerant.
Caring for Thornless Blackberries After Planting
Getting thornless blackberries in the ground is only half the job.
The first year is all about helping roots and canes get strong.
1. Mulch Around the Plants
Apply a two to three inch layer of mulch around your thornless blackberries.
Mulch keeps moisture in, suppresses weeds, and keeps roots cool.
Just keep mulch a few inches away from the canes to prevent rot.
2. Set Up a Trellis or Support
Even though thornless blackberries lack thorns, they still need support.
A simple T-trellis or fence works well for keeping canes upright.
Training thornless blackberries early makes pruning and harvesting much easier later.
3. Fertilize Lightly in Spring
Feed thornless blackberries with a balanced fertilizer in early spring.
Avoid over-fertilizing because too much nitrogen encourages leafy growth over fruit.
A light application each year keeps thornless blackberries productive.
4. Prune at the Right Time
Thornless blackberries produce fruit on second-year canes, also called floricanes.
After harvest, cut those canes back to the ground.
This keeps your thornless blackberries healthy and ready to produce new canes for next season.
Common Mistakes When Starting Thornless Blackberries
Even experienced gardeners make mistakes when they start thornless blackberries.
Here are a few to avoid.
1. Planting in Shade
Thornless blackberries won’t thrive in shade, and you’ll get little to no fruit.
Always choose the sunniest spot in your yard.
2. Letting Soil Dry Out Completely
Young thornless blackberries need steady moisture to establish roots.
A quick check with your finger tells you if it’s time to water.
3. Skipping Weed Control
Weeds compete for water and nutrients, especially in the first year.
Keep the area around your thornless blackberries clean and mulched.
4. Planting Too Deep
Burying the crown too deep can kill thornless blackberries before they even start.
Plant at the same depth the canes were growing at the nursery.
So, How Do You Start Thornless Blackberries?
You can start thornless blackberries by planting bare-root stock or rooted cuttings in late winter or early spring.
Choose a sunny spot with good drainage, amend the soil, and plant at the right depth.
Water deeply, mulch well, and give your thornless blackberries a trellis to climb.
With a little patience, your thornless blackberries will reward you with sweet, bumper crops for years to come.
Happy planting.