Blackberries are among the most amazing fruits you can ever grow in your garden. This is because on top of being easy to grow, they also have many nutritional benefits. However, one of the many challenges most people face is limited space for growing them.
But the good news is that it doesn’t matter whether you have a small space in your yard as you can grow blackberries in containers. All you need is following the simple steps on how you can do it successfully.
Dive in and learn how to grow blackberries in containers.
- Choose the Right Container
You need to look at the container you are going to use for growing blackberries and the best option should be at least 12 inches deep. The diameter of the pot must also be 24 inches to give the plant enough space for its growth.
The other good thing about using a container of that size is that you don’t have to worry about transplanting when the plant grows bigger. It is also recommended to go for a heavy plastic wooden or stone made container that won’t topple over but have enough grips on the ground.
On the other hand, a small container normally calls for transplanting later on as the plant will yield less fruits and its leaves wilt because of stress.
- Prepare the Container
After getting your container, then it is time to prepare it. You have to fill it with a potting mix that has fertilizer. Another alternative is filling the pot with one thirds of top soil, vermiculite and well-rotted manure.
It is discouraged to use soil from your garden that has been used in growing other plants. Wondering why? This is because it has higher chances of holding pests or diseases that can damage your new plant.
- Plant Your Blackberries
When you are done with filling your pot with soil, then you have to plant your blackberries. Create a hole in the middle with the width and depth of the live plant you are transplanting. Then place the blackberry plant in the hole to fill it.
You can now back fill with soil and water it slowly. Moreover, you can either buy a live plant or a bare root from the nursery. Live plants can be planted at any time either in summer or spring. But you should plant bare roots in springtime for the best results.
- Grow the Plant
Afterwards, you then have to monitor the growth of your plant. You have to keep its soil always moist especially when it is trying to establish its root system in the container. You can check it out by inserting a finger everyday into the soil and if it feels dry, you water it again.
You can as well add a 2-inch layer of mulch as it helps to lock the moisture in hot and dry climates. Another factor to consider is adding fertilizer or well-rotted manure in spring.
Easily Grow Blackberries
You just have to follow the above tips and you are good to go because growing blackberries isn’t limited to only the garden. But you can plant them in containers too.