THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE

AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE

Berries
SP 284-C

Blackberries and Raspberries

in Home Gardens
Wade J. Sperry, former Assistant Professor
Originally developed by Alvin D. Rutledge, Professor
Plant & Soil Science

Blackberries and raspberries (brambles) are a long that are not strong enough to support
commonly planted small fruit in home gardens. themselves and require some type of trellis support.
They have vigorous growth, are seldom injured by They are propagated by tip layering. Sometimes
spring frost and consistently produce high-quality thornless fruit will sunburn because they mature in
fruit. The fruit is used for jams, jellies, pies and as a the hotter part of the summer.
fresh fruit. Because of their vigorous growth,
brambles should be planted in an area where they Types of Raspberries:
can be contained. They lend themselves as effective • summer-bearing, red-fruited
screens along property lines in landscapes. A • black-fruited
reduction in the availability of wild berries make • purple-fruited
these fruits even more popular in home plantings. • fall-bearing, red-fruited
By choosing different types of brambles, you can
harvest fresh fruit five to six months each year. Summer-bearing, red-fruited raspberries
produce one large crop of fruit in the summer. They
Types of Blackberries usually reproduce by root suckers and may produce
Both thorned and thornless blackberries grow a thick hedge after three or four years.
well in Tennessee. Each type has its advantages and Black-fruited raspberries are not as productive
disadvantages, though the sharp barbs on the in Tennessee as some of the other types, because of
thorned type are a negative factor when grown in their susceptibility to diseases. They usually do not
the home landscape. produce root suckers and are propagated by tip
Thorned blackberries do not require a trellis, layering. Their canes are not very erect and require
mature their fruit two to three weeks earlier than trellising.
the thornless varieties and usually have sweeter Purple raspberries mature later in the summer
fruit at maturity. They are propagated by root than the red-fruited raspberries . They are vigorous
suckers. but usually require trellising. They are propagated
Thornless blackberries are easier to prune and by tip layering.
maintain. They produce trailing canes 8 to 12 feet
 Fall-bearing, red-fruited raspberries produce Hull - Medium- to large-fruited variety with
both a fall crop and early summer crop. The fall good flavor. Fair winter hardiness.
crop is the largest and produced on the upper Navaho - Only thornless variety with erect
portion of the cane, while the smaller summer crop enough canes not to need trellising. Fruit quality
is produced on the lower portion of the cane. Fall- reported to be better than other thornless varieties,
bearing raspberries are often managed for a fall crop but plants may not be as productive. Navaho has
only. With this method, all canes are cut at the shown resistance to “double blossom,” a fungus
ground and removed in late winter. The new canes disease common in Tennessee.
that emerge during the spring will fruit that fall.
This is the only type of bramble that will produce Raspberries:
fruit the year the canes emerge. All other brambles Summer Red
(both types of blackberries and all other raspberries) Latham - Plants yield well, but have fair
produce vegetative canes one year, that fruit and die winter hardiness and are susceptible to mosaic
the next year. Therefore, canes which have fruited virus. Fruit is medium-sized, round, firm and light
must selectively be removed with the vegetative red.
canes left for next year’s crop. Titan - An early maturing, large-fruited
variety with a high level of aphid resistance. May
Choosing The Best Varieties require trellising. Plants are susceptible to crown
There are many varieties of brambles to choose gall and root rot.
from when planting. Not all of these, however, are
adapted to Tennessee’s climate. Home gardeners Black
should consider the type of fruit they want and the Cumberland - Also known as “Blackcap.”
management required to grow this fruit. The Canes are vigorous and productive. Fruit ripens in
following varieties of blackberries and raspberries mid-summer.
are recommended for Tennessee: Bristol - Heavier producer than
Cumberland, with larger, high-quality fruit.
Blackberries: Jewel - Canes are vigorous and productive.
More resistant to disease and larger fruit than
Thorned Varieties
Bristol.
Cheyenne - Large, attractive fruit that ripens
mid-June through early July. Canes are erect,
Purple
vigorous and productive, but susceptible to the
Brandywine - Vigorous plants with some
disease “rosette” (double blossom).
disease resistance. Berries are large, tart and of good
Shawnee - Fruits are large, attractive and
quality.
have good flavor. Fruit ripens later and over a
Royalty - Vigorous plants with multiple
longer time than Cheyenne. Plants are productive,
resistance to insects and the raspberry aphid which
erect and vigorous, but also are susceptible to
carries the mosaic virus. Larger, sweeter fruit than
rosette.
Brandywine.
Choctaw - Fruit size and flavor similar to
Cheyenne and Shawnee but ripens one week earlier
Fall-bearing red
(early June). Plant vigor and growth are similar to
Heritage - Fruit is medium-sized, firm and
Shawnee, as is its susceptibility to rosette.
high-quality. Produces fruit late summer to first fall
frost.
Thornless Varieties
Ruby - Larger fruit than Heritage and
Chester - Fruit quality is good with large
matures two weeks earlier. May be susceptible to
size, and the plants are vigorous and productive.
root rot.
Fruit is less sensitive to sunburn and bleeding.
Autumn Bliss - Fruit matures earlier than
Plants have good winter hardiness and are resistant
Heritage and is of higher quality. Plants are less
to cane blight.
vigorous than Heritage with fewer root suckers
produced.
 The following table will assist in determining
the number of plants to be planted:

No. of Plants Age to Near Yield Per

Fruit Per Family Member Peak Production Plant at Peak

Thornless Blackberry 1/2 3 2 gallons

Thorned Blackberry 2 3 1/2 gallon

Raspberries 3 3 1 quart

Selecting and Preparing a Planting Site that area. This should be done in advance of
If possible, plant blackberries and raspberries a planting so any weed regrowth can be killed.
minimum of 300 feet away from wild or existing
plantings of brambles, to reduce the potential for Planting Correctly
disease problems. Avoid areas where tomatoes, Brambles can be planted any time they are
potatoes or eggplants have recently been grown, to dormant, usually from Nov. 1 to March 15. If a fall
reduce the potential for verticillium wilt. Plant on a planting is made, a mulch at the base of the plant
north-facing slope or hillside to reduce injury from may reduce winter injury.
spring frost. Almost any soil type, except those that Either root cuttings or root suckers can be
are sandy, poorly drained or droughty, is suitable. planted. If root cuttings are used, plant them about
The first step in preparing a site is to take a soil 3 to 4 inches deep. If root suckers are used, make
sample. Sample boxes and information sheets are holes large enough and deep enough to completely
available at your county Extension office. Work lime spread the roots. Once planting is done, firm the soil
and fertilizer into the soil before planting, in around the plant and water well.
accordance with soil test recommendations. Lay out Spacings used for blackberries and raspberries
the row area and kill any weeds or grasses within are listed below:

In-Row Between-Row
Fruit Spacing (ft.) Spacing (ft.)

Thornless Blackberries 8 10

Thorned Blackberries 3-4 10

Raspberries 2.5-3 8-10

 SP284C-6M-9/97(Rev) E12-2015-00-047-98
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Billy G. Hicks, Dean