Growing Blackberries in North Dakota

David Mettler

1

Growing Blackberries in North

Dakota

David Mettler

Why Grow Blackberries?

• Healthy

• High level of vitamins and antioxidants

• Great flavor

• Fresh fruit, jelly/jam, and baked goods

• Poor shipping quality

• Niche market for local growers

Growing Blackberries in North Dakota

David Mettler

2

Why Isn’t There More Production?

• Not recommended for growing in ND

• Harsh Winters (Zone 3)

• No hardy cultivars (Mostly ≥ zone 5)

• Traditionally biennial fruiting system

• Canes need to survive winter

• High start-up cost

• High tunnels

Physiology

www.slideshare.net

Growing Blackberries in North Dakota

David Mettler

3

Growth Habit

thecitrusguy.blogspot.com

Rotating Cross-arm Trellis

Growing Blackberries in North Dakota

David Mettler

4

Row Covers

Cultivar Differences

Growing Blackberries in North Dakota

David Mettler

5

Floricane Recommendations

Cultivar Growth Habit The Good The Bad Plant?

Apache Erect Medium fruit Too erect, low yield No

Arapaho Erect Good flavor Too erect No

Chester Semi-Erect Great yield (>1.5lbs) Smaller fruit Yes

Doyle’s Trailing Easily trained Poor yield No

Illini Hardy Erect Great yield (>2lbs) Thorns, too erect Maybe

Kiowa Semi-Erect Large Fruit Thorns, winter

damage

Maybe

Natchez Semi-Erect Easily trained, large

fruit- - -

Yes

Osage Erect - - - Poor survival No

Ouachita Erect Firm fruit Too erect Yes

Triple Crown Semi-Erect Easily trained, large

fruit- - -

Yes

Primocane Recommendations

Cultivar Growth Habit The Good The Bad Plant?

‘Prime-Jim®’ Semi-ErectVigorous, High

production (up to 1lb)Thorns Yes

‘Prime-Jan®’ Semi-ErectVigorous, High

productionThorns Yes

‘Prime-Ark® 45’ Semi-Erect Medium sized fruit Thorns No

‘Prime-Ark®

Freedom’

Semi-ErectThornless, large fruit

Low number

of fruitNo

‘Prime-Ark®

Traveler’

Semi-Erect Thornless,

Firm fruit- - - No

Growing Blackberries in North Dakota

David Mettler

6

Primocane Growing Tips

• Cultivars• ‘Prime-Jim®’

• ‘Prime-Jan®’

• ‘Prime-Ark® 45’

• ‘Prime-Ark® Freedom’ (thornless)

• ‘Prime-Ark® Traveler’ (thornless)

• Tip to increase yield

• Cut back canes in fall and cover

• Hedgerow with T-trellis

teamrubus.blogspot.com

Spotted Wing Drosophila

extension.umass.edu