blackberries, how to grow

LilacPixie

I want to grow some blackberries, mostly for jam making. I have been looking around and I can only see some plants for sale but they are ££££ Can you grow from seed? Where would i get seeds, it isn't something my local garden centre seems to stock

Lotus-eater

Have you got wild hedges near you? Yes, then use them, they taste better and are free.

LilacPixie

OOO I think I know of 2-3 places that used to have wild hedges. no idea if they still do though. It's on a local dog walking trail and they seem to get pilliaged alot. I presume I just select a few ripe and juice berries and plant them directly?? Or am I being dumb?

wayne1983

Ive ordered a thornless blackberry bush for about 4 quid off ebay and its going in a large container.
Do you plan on putting the cutting in open ground or pot?. If ground it could take over your garden if not careful:beer:

cootambear

Pick em when pinky/black to avoid human and bird scavengers. If you dont plant them in an enclosed space, or prune heavily, they will take over your garden.

Lotus-eater

LilacPixie wrote: »

OOO I think I know of 2-3 places that used to have wild hedges. no idea if they still do though. It's on a local dog walking trail and they seem to get pilliaged alot. I presume I just select a few ripe and juice berries and plant them directly?? Or am I being dumb?

I meant pick the berries from the hedges.

If you really don't have anywhere to get wild blackberries from, within a 10 minutes walk, then grow your own. But if you pick them from the wild, just think what delights you could grow in your own garden instead, like raspberries, much better than blackberries in a garden.

wayne1983

Well im going to plant 1 of my raspberry canes in a deep pot and the other 3 in the garden.
The blackberry plant is going in its pot though to keep it contained, but its still a deep pot and i will mantain it correctly.
Do you like blueberries too?, you can grow them well in pots im told:beer:

LilacPixie

I have 5 raspberry canes to go in already but fancied some blackberries too for jam, maybe not a good idea if they run wild.

wayne1983

LilacPixie wrote: »

I have 5 raspberry canes to go in already but fancied some blackberries too for jam, maybe not a good idea if they run wild.

Buy a thornless bush and put it in a container, that way it wont run riot:D:beer:

laurel7172

Lidl was selling blackberries for 99p last week-the last discounted few from their recent promotion.

Thornless blackberries aren't as thuggish as the wild ones- I have two I planted last year that are only about a foot high.

Lotus-eater

I've never seen a thornless blackberry planted that was worth it, although I'm sure they exist, pick them from the wild and plant a loganberry instead if you want something like that.