How to Protect Blackberry Plants in Extreme Weather

During peak growing season, our customers enjoy a bountiful harvest of fresh, juicy blackberries. But as the weather gets colder, many ask how to protect their plants from extreme temperatures. 

Although Doyle’s Thornless Blackberry plants are quite resilient, there’s a few things you can do to make sure your plants are protected from the elements, and ready to bear fruit the following year.

 

How to Protect Blackberry Plants From Extreme Cold

Every thornless blackberry plant we sell gets their start here in Southern Indiana. The winters we experience here can get pretty extreme. Temperatures typically get down as low as -10 degrees Fahrenheit, sometimes colder.

Well, our blackberry plants have survived and produced for over 35 years and we have not done anything to protect them during the winter.

However, if you live in an area with temperatures below -20, it is necessary to provide some protection.  We recommend covering your plants with a high tunnel or a 6 mil white or clear plastic temporary greenhouse. Protecting your plants properly will help extend your growing season, too.

How to Protect Blackberry Plants in Extreme Heat

We get a lot of questions about protecting blackberry plants in extreme heat. Like our winters, Summertime in Southern Indiana can get pretty extreme. Typically, we experience temperatures as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit in July through August.

However, the heat itself is not the problem. It's the sun you should watch for. Direct sunlight over a period of time can dehydrate your berries and reduce blackberry production.  

To protect your berries from dehydration from harsh sunlight, we recommend:

• Not trimming the foliage around your berries for natural shade 

• Using a 40% shade cloth OR

• Using a rotating shift trellis

What is shade cloth?

Shade cloth (or shade fabric) provides necessary UV protection for your blackberry plants, moderates temperature, and improves ventilation. Shade cloths are available in several shade percentages, usually ranging from 35%-80%.. A 40% shade cloth, for example, blocks out 40% of the sunlight. 

What is a rotating shift trellis?

A rotating shift trellis can be tilted towards the sun to encourage the shoots to grow towards the sun. Or, it can be oriented to position the berries in the shade to reduce dehydration and improve the efficiency of your harvest.

 

Can Blackberries Be Protected From High Winds?

Normal windy conditions are not a threat to the well-being of blackberry plants. However, extreme winds (like tornadoes and hurricanes) could pose a threat. Unfortunately, like most things, it's hard to protect plants from winds that high.

But, you do not need to be concerned with normal windy conditions.

 

What Should You Do if You Are Experiencing a Drought?

If precipitation in your area has diminished for weeks or months, it's important to give your plants some extra attention. 

Blackberry plants need at least one inch of water per week. During a dry-spell, be sure to water your plants manually. Drip irrigation is always recommended because it conserves water. 

Another great way to combat drought is to mix  coir into your soil. Coir is a natural fiber that comes from the husk of a coconut. When shredded up and mixed into your soil, coir can hold 10 times its weight in water. This can help conserve water and keep your plants hydrated. Coir is especially handy in sandy soils. 

 

Are there Any Special Considerations for High Altitudes?

We have not yet experienced any issues with growing blackberries in higher altitudes. As long as you have a long enough growing season, your plants should flourish. One of our customers lives at 8,000 feet and has blackberry plants producing fruit each year. 

 

Enjoy Years of Bountiful Blackberry Harvests With Doyle’s Thornless Blackberry Plants 

Doyle’s Thornless Blackberry is the most surefire way to enjoy large yields of delicious, juicy blackberries that taste as good off the branch as they do in pies, jams, jellies, ciders, wines, and all your favorite foods! 

Just one Doyle’s Thornless Blackberry plant, when properly cared for, can produce 10-20 gallons of mouth-watering blackberries!

Whether you’re a master gardener or a beginner, we’re here to help you along the way. Follow our Facebook Page for helpful information or visit our website at www.FruitsandBerries.com.

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