Planting:

Choose a sunny site in your garden with good air circulation and water drainage and a pH of 6.0-7.0. Keep roots moist until planting. Work plenty of organic matter into the soil and mulch to keep out weeds. Plant as soon as the soil has warmed. Dig a hole large enough so as not to bend roots. Trim canes to encourage new growth. Plants should be set out at least 4-6 feet apart in rows 10 feet apart. Trellising is beneficial for cane support. These summer-bearing berries produce fruit on second year canes (floricanes).

Growing:

In the fall of the 2nd year, prune spent canes to ground level and thin new canes that may shade out the already developing canes. Cut off suckers which grow outside of rows. Trim remaining blackberry canes to 7 feet.

Protect blackberries by bending the canes over in the late fall and covering with soil or other means to hold them down. A covering of straw or brush helps trap snow.