With blackberries, too, the right fertilization contributes significantly to the outcome of the harvest. We have tips on how to properly fertilize your blackberries.
the blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) grows in their natural environment on heavy, nutrient-rich soils. In the home gardens, it is especially popular for its sweet fruits, which can be harvested from June to September. But only a well-nourished blackberry bush will reward you with a rich harvest. For this, the blackberry has to absorb enough nutrients and water from the soil through its roots.
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- When is the best time to fertilize blackberries?
- Which fertilizer to use for blackberries?
- Fertilize blackberries properly: Instructions for ideal application
- Provide blackberries with mineral fertilizers
Regular fertilizers are important for all berry bushes so that the plants grow vigorously and produce a lot of fruit. In this article we will explain when, how and with what best to fertilize your blackberries.
When is the best time to fertilize blackberries?
When planting a blackberry bush, you should work some potting soil, compost or rotted manure into the excavation hole. In addition, organic fertilizer granules can be worked into the top soil layers. In this way, the young roots are supplied with sufficient nutrients right from the start and they can develop well. In the following years, the blackberry should be fertilized in early spring (March) with a nutrient mixture suitable for berry bushes - if the weather permits. It is best to use organic slow release fertilizers such as ours Plantura organic universal fertilizer. This is particularly gentle on the environment, as it only gradually releases the nutrients it contains to the plant. This means that there is less risk of leaching.
Summary: when to fertilize blackberries?
- Upgrade poor soils with potting soil, compost or manure
- Work some granular fertilizer into the soil when planting
- Annual basic fertilization in early spring (March)
Which fertilizer to use for blackberries?
Blackberries have a very high nutritional requirement, which is also related to the high annual growth rate of the plant. If you choose a fertilizer that is tailored to the needs of the blackberry, it will thank you with a rich harvest.
Organic fertilizer are ideal for supplying your blackberries with nutrients. To upgrade poor garden soils, you can Garden compost or use rotted manure. You can also cover the ground around the blackberry plant with a layer of mulch made from lawn clippings. This decomposes over time and releases the nutrients to the plant. If you don't have natural fertilizers at hand, you can also fall back on organic long-term fertilizers. There are many benefits to using organic fertilizers. The nutrients it contains are only gradually released. This means that there is only a low risk of over-fertilization and the leaching of nutrients into the groundwater. Organic materials also promote soil life and improve the soil structure. In addition, organic fertilizers are particularly gentle on humans as well as pets and garden animals, as they do not use chemicals.
Our Plantura Organic universal fertilizer consists mainly of organic, plant-based raw materials. Due to its composition, it is ideal for supplying your blackberries with nutrients. A high proportion of nitrogen promotes plant growth and leaf formation in spring. Sufficient phosphorus and potassium also optimally support the blackberry plant in flower and fruit formation.
Summary: what fertilizers to use for blackberries?
- Garden compost, rotted manure
- Mulch layer from lawn clippings
- Organic long-term fertilizers in organic quality
Fertilize blackberries properly: Instructions for ideal application
How the fertilizer for the blackberries is applied depends on the selected fertilizer and the weather conditions. Many slow release organic fertilizers like ours Plantura organic universal fertilizer are offered in granulate form, which makes application and dosage much easier. So that you provide your blackberry with the right amount of nutrients, we have prepared detailed fertilization instructions for you below.
Long-term organic fertilization: Instructions and dosage quantities for blackberries
- Before planting: 80 - 160 g / m² (6 to 13 heaping tablespoons) of our Plantura Organic universal fertilizer work into the top soil layers.
- Water the freshly inserted shrub well so that the granules can loosen.
- Every spring (March) fertilize 60-120 g per plant (5 to 10 tablespoons).
- Smaller doses of fertilizer for blossoming and fruiting give your blackberries even more optimal support.
Tip from the professional: Granular fertilizers can also be dissolved in water to water the berry bush.
Provide blackberries with mineral fertilizers
Blue grain, Liquid fertilizer and Co. are still popular fertilizers, which are also often used for soft fruits. The high nutritional content of mineral fertilizers and the rapid release can quickly lead to overfertilization of the plants if improperly used. Excess nutrients can be washed out into deeper soil layers and lead to increased nitrate values in the groundwater there. In comparison, organic fertilizers are slowly broken down by the microorganisms in the soil and only gradually release the nutrients for the plant.
[Photo: photowind / Shutterstock.com]
The right cut is also important with blackberries. You can find out how to do this correctly in our instructions for Cutting blackberries.