Blackberries and Grapes

[Willl]

Just a blackberry thought.

After experiencing my mothers 'thorn-less blackberrys' in her garden, I see no reason for any other kind.

 

[DocHeb]

...I am guessing that my landscape timber model will last 20-30 years before it gets to the point that it has to be replaced. If I built it out of pressure treated 4x4's and 2x4's I would expect it to last 40+ years...

Most of the treated lumber you find at the big box stores isn't even rated for ground contact. I also feel that the ACQ lumber does not last as long as CCA treated lumber. The ACQ lumber also eats non- hot-galvanized or non-stainless fasteners so I don't think you'll get 40 years.

 

[survriggs]

We are also looking at planting several rows of blackberries. What variety did you plant? Do they have a good flavor...sweet or tart?

Your 20 gallons was harvested off of how long a row...10'...20'...?

Thanks!

David

I believe they are Quachita. They are very sweet. I have two rows 30 ft. long

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I believe they are Quachita. They are very sweet. I have two rows 30 ft. long

HenryFields has Quachita, 3 plants for $15.

 

[Bird]

You do mean Ouachita instead of Quachita, don't you?

 

[JohnDeere4300]

Blackberry Plants - Henry Field's Seed & Nursery

That's where we got ours.

And we got everything else at__"Gurney's"

 

[kenmac]

I'm planning to put up some blackberry and grape 'arbors' (I think that's the word I want) this spring. I'm planning to get some 8' landscape timbers for this project. I'm hoping to use one at each corner for a post to make an 8x5.5 (I want it just wide enough to run my lawn tractor through to mow) rectangle. Then I'm going to rip some timbers in half lengthwise to make a frame around the top. Finally I'm going to tack some woven wire fencing with maybe 4x4 squares along the 8' sides and over the top.

I'm planning 2 of these structures, 1 for grapes and 1 for blackberries. Anyone see any reason(s) why this wouldn't work?

My main question is about planting the fruit. I believe I can go over to my FIL's and take some cuttings from his blackberry bushes, plant those, and they will grow into bushes at my place. I think I've heard that this works with blackberries. Can anyone confirm or deny?

What about grapes? My FIL has them too, can I take cuttings from them in the same manner as with blackberries?

Any other considerations?

No grapes ..But, I bought 3 BB bushes a couple months ago & set them in the natural soil. The place I got them from said they will do just fine in the natural soil... The best part.......They are thornless. The nice spring weather we are having has made the leaves green up

 

[buckeyefarmer]

You do mean Ouachita instead of Quachita, don't you?

i think you're right.

 

[forgeblast]

I just wanted to share some blue berry tips that a commerical gower gave me.
1. no more then six cains out from the center plant, if there are more the blueberry quality and quanity suffer.
2. he uses as fertilizer double ground hardwood mulch. he puts in on in the spring and thats it. it keeps the weeds down and breaks down into a great source of food for the blueberrys.
enjoy.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

I just wanted to share some blue berry tips that a commerical gower gave me.
1. no more then six cains out from the center plant, if there are more the blueberry quality and quanity suffer.
2. he uses as fertilizer double ground hardwood mulch. he puts in on in the spring and thats it. it keeps the weeds down and breaks down into a great source of food for the blueberrys.
enjoy.

Another good tip that we do is put coffee grounds around them.