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Growing Navaho thornless blackberry is one of the easiest ways to enjoy sweet, homegrown berries right from your own backyard.
Unlike traditional blackberry varieties that fight back with sharp thorns, the Navaho thornless blackberry gives you all the flavor without the pain.
If you’ve been wondering how to grow Navaho thornless blackberry successfully, you’re in the right place.
This variety is a heat-tolerant, erect blackberry that produces juicy, medium-sized berries on upright canes.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to grow Navaho thornless blackberry from planting to harvest, so you can enjoy baskets full of fruit season after season.
Let’s dig in.
Why Grow Navaho Thornless Blackberry
Growing Navaho thornless blackberry comes with plenty of perks that make it worth the effort.
1. No Thorns, All Flavor
The biggest reason to grow Navaho thornless blackberry is right there in the name.
You get to pick berries without gloves, without scratches, and without cursed words flying across the garden.
That alone makes growing Navaho thornless blackberry a joy for families and backyard gardeners.
2. Self-Fruitful and Productive
Navaho thornless blackberry is self-fruitful, meaning you only need one plant to get fruit.
It produces reliable yields of firm, sweet berries that hold up well for fresh eating, freezing, and baking.
3. Heat and Disease Tolerance
If you live in a warm climate, growing Navaho thornless blackberry is a smart choice.
This variety handles heat better than many others and shows good resistance to common blackberry diseases like rust and double blossom.
How to Grow Navaho Thornless Blackberry Step by Step
Now let’s get into the actual process of growing Navaho thornless blackberry.
1. Pick the Right Spot
When growing Navaho thornless blackberry, choose a spot with full sun for the best fruit production.
Six to eight hours of direct sunlight keeps the canes healthy and the berries sweet.
Make sure the area drains well, because blackberries hate soggy roots.
2. Prepare the Soil
Navaho thornless blackberry grows best in slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
Mix in compost or aged manure before planting to give the roots a nutrient-rich start.
If your soil is heavy clay, plant on a raised bed or mound to improve drainage.
3. Plant at the Right Time
The best time to plant Navaho thornless blackberry is in early spring or late fall when the plant is dormant.
Space plants about 3 to 4 feet apart in rows that are 8 to 10 feet apart.
Set the roots about an inch below the soil surface and water thoroughly after planting.
4. Water Consistently
Growing Navaho thornless blackberry requires steady moisture, especially during flowering and fruiting.
Give your plants about an inch of water per week, either from rain or irrigation.
Avoid overhead watering late in the day, since wet foliage can invite disease.
5. Fertilize Wisely
Feed your Navaho thornless blackberry in early spring as new growth begins.
A balanced fertilizer or a layer of compost works well.
Don’t overdo the nitrogen, because too much encourages leafy canes with fewer berries.
6. Trellis and Prune
Even though Navaho thornless blackberry grows upright, a simple trellis helps support heavy fruit loads.
Prune in late winter by removing old fruiting canes and thinning new ones.
This keeps your plants productive and makes growing Navaho thornless blackberry much easier year after year.
7. Control Weeds and Pests
Keep the area around your Navaho thornless blackberry free of weeds, which compete for water and nutrients.
Mulch with straw or wood chips to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
Watch for aphids and spider mites, and treat them early with insecticidal soap if needed.
Harvesting Navaho Thornless Blackberry
One of the best parts of growing Navaho thornless blackberry is harvest time.
1. Know When Berries Are Ripe
Navaho thornless blackberry berries turn deep black and pull easily from the cane when ripe.
If you have to tug, they’re not ready yet.
2. Pick Regularly
Harvest every few days during the season to keep fruit from overripening.
Regular picking also encourages the plant to keep producing.
3. Store and Enjoy
Eat your Navaho thornless blackberry fresh, freeze them, or turn them into jams and pies.
They store well in the fridge for several days and freeze beautifully for later use.
So, How to Grow Navaho Thornless Blackberry?
Growing Navaho thornless blackberry is simple when you give it sun, good drainage, steady water, and a little pruning.
This thornless variety rewards you with sweet, abundant berries without the scratches.
Whether you’re a first-time grower or a seasoned gardener, learning how to grow Navaho thornless blackberry is a decision you won’t regret.
Plant a few this season and enjoy the harvest for years to come.