Lecture by Alan Chadwick in New Market, Virginia, 1979
Lecture 17.5, Plant Study: Rubus, The Blackberry, Part 1
An Introduction to Alan Chadwick's Lectures and a Glossary of Terms
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Climbing vines produce much more crop per area of soil. All fences can be covered with berry plants and brambles. The Loganberry, produced in Santa Cruz, California, is hard to get hold of. Propagation of the brambles: strikes will root and make two or three new wands. Always prune to encourage new growth. Banks and raised beds are best for the blackberries. Cultivation and fertilization should be done each year. They all make good bee forage plants. Share with the birds as well. Early spring or late fall is best for making cuttings or strikes (which are best). Layering also is effective for rooting new plants, as well as crown division, but this is problematic. Mulch with manure, but out where the roots are growing, not only around the crowns. Escalating beds for brambles and tomatoes. The birds have a right to a share of the berries that we grow. (17:29)