Description of the best varieties of blackberries for the Moscow region, planting, growing and care
Blackberries are not popular with all summer residents, but they are famous for their unpretentiousness and useful qualities of berries. Choosing the right variety will yield an annual harvest of selected fruits. When buying a seedling, you should opt for specimens that can easily tolerate frost. Therefore, you should study in advance which varieties of blackberries are the best for the Moscow region.
Content
- 1 Classification of the best varieties for the Moscow region
- 2 Early varieties of blackberries
- 3 Mid-season
- 4 Late varieties of blackberries
- 5 Frost resistant
- 6 Unpretentious and productive varieties
- 7 High yielding
- 8 Repaired
- 9 Bush blackberry
- 10 Creeping
- 11 Shipless grades
- 12 How to plant and grow blackberries in the Moscow region
Classification of the best varieties for the Moscow region
Blackberry refers to a shrub. She has perennial rhizomes and shoots that live for 2 years. Plants, united by one name, often differ in appearance and growing characteristics.
Conventionally divided into shrubs:
- Erect. They grow like raspberries. They are also called kumanik. The height of the plantings is 2 meters. The stems are straight, but over time they descend in an arc. Recommended to grow with support. Shoots are covered with large thorns. Prefers abundant watering. With a lack of moisture, it gives a low yield. Recommended varieties for cultivation: Ruben, Apache, Ouachita, Agavam.
- Creeping. They belong to dwarf shrubs. Shoots creeping along the ground reach 5 meters. There is no need to install a support for them. The plant has numerous but small thorns. This species is also called "dewdrop". The advantages include excellent drought resistance and undemanding soil. Requires winter shelter, as it tolerates frost moderately. Even in partial shade, it gives an excellent harvest. Noteworthy varieties: Lucretia, Oregon Thornless, Izobilnaya.
- Transient. It is a medium-sized plant that grows vertically at first, and then hangs down and reaches the ground. The culture propagates by rooting the top and root layering. Easily tolerates light frosts, but prefers winter insulation. Popular varieties: Loch Ness, Chachanskaya Bestrana, Valda.
Also, blackberries are divided according to the ripening period. Each should be considered separately.
Early varieties of blackberries
All varieties that delight with the harvest at the end of June are classified as early ones. These berries have a weak aroma and are distinguished by a sour taste. The fruit is perfect for jam. The best examples:
- Medana Tayberry.It has a high yield and is ideal for commercial purposes. Shoots are covered with numerous thorns. The hybrid needs shelter for the winter. It grows as a sprawling bush with long lashes.
- Giant. It belongs to a high-yielding and disease-resistant variety. Small thorns are located on the shoots. The creeping bush has high winter hardiness. The weight of one fruit reaches 7 grams.
- Black Bute. Small thorns cover the shoots. Refers to new varieties that are considered high-yielding. The creeping bush has a high resistance to diseases and good winter hardiness. Bears fruit for 1.5 months and withstands drought well. The maximum fruit weight reaches 23 grams, the minimum is 12 grams.
- El Dorado. The crop ripens early, but stretched out. Endowed with high resistance to disease. Shoots are covered with large thorns. For the winter period, it is required to cover, since the variety has an average winter hardiness. Refers to erect.
It is important to remember that yield depends not only on the selected variety, but mainly on proper care.
Mid-season
When early varieties are harvested, mid-ripening ones enter fruiting. Their feature is amicable ripening. The berries have amazing aroma, sweetness and juiciness. The best options are:
- Loughton. The spines are large and brown in color. Differs in high resistance to ailments. With a good yield, it allows picking 10 kilograms of selected berries from one plant. Refers to erect. The length of the branch reaches 2.5 meters. The culture has an average resistance to frost. Able to withstand up to -21 ° C. Therefore, it is better to cover the variety for the winter. The berry weighs 4 grams.
- Dumb. This variety can often be seen on sale in stores. It has excellent transportability, long shelf life and good appearance. Practically does not suffer from common diseases. The spines on the shoots are small. Resistance to harsh winters is average, so shelter is required. Refers to erect. Berry weight 10 grams.
Late varieties of blackberries
The taste of the harvest can be enjoyed in early autumn. Berries are well suited for preservation and preparation of aromatic and tasty juice. The best options are:
- Chokeberry. The shoot is covered with many small thorns. The yield from a bush reaches 5 kilograms. About 17 berries grow on one branch. The fruiting whip reaches 1.5 meters in length.
- Texas. Produces an average yield. The bush spreads and does not have root growth. It has normal disease resistance. Berry weight 11 grams. Shoots are covered with large thorns.
- Abundant. The crop has an average yield. The shoots, covered with small spines, reach a length of 3.5 meters. Weak winter hardiness forces the plant to cover for the winter. Fruit weight 4 grams.
Frost resistant
Winter-hardy varieties are more suitable for the Moscow region. These mainly include hybrids, but there are also thorny varieties. Each species should be considered in detail.
Agave
This is the best option for the Moscow region. Main characteristics:
- able to endure frost -40 ° С;
- does not require shelter;
- grows into a tall and powerful plant;
- shoots prickly and unpretentious;
- there is no need to bend to the ground for the winter;
- grows well and gives a bountiful harvest even in abandoned areas;
- berries are aromatic and sour-sweet;
- the bush gives 5 kilograms of selected fruits;
- berry weight 5 grams, with regular feeding, the weight increases to 10 grams.
With proper care, the yield increases.
Gazda
Distinctive features:
- vigorous bush, small thorns;
- begins bearing fruit in the 2nd year;
- ripens in early autumn;
- after harvesting, the shoots must be cut off;
- has good disease tolerance;
- berry weight 7 grams;
- the crop is well transportable and has a long shelf life.
Darrow
Specifications:
- high winter hardiness, withstands frost at -35 ° C;
- the trunk is powerful and high, has thorny spines;
- high-yielding variety;
- berry weight 4 grams;
- refers to erect and reaches 3 meters in height;
- sweet and sour berries;
- yield increases every year;
- the average yield is 10 kilograms.
Polar
Features:
- upright shoots reach 2.7 meters;
- there are no thorns;
- fruit weight 11 grams;
- the aroma is pleasant and the taste is sweet;
- bears fruit for a long time;
- resists pests;
- winter hardy.
Unpretentious and productive varieties
Garden blackberries of the Agavam variety are the most unpretentious and fruitful. It instantly adapts to any terrain. A bush in one area can bear fruit for 10 years. In second place is the Darrow variety.
High yielding
A good harvest in the Moscow region is brought by varieties:
- Flint;
- Agave;
- Ufa local.
Repaired
The bushes grow compact, but during the period of fruit ripening they require tying. The peculiarity of this variety is that it is harvested twice a season. The first one is in early summer from old shoots, and new bushes give berries in autumn.If in the fall the shoots are cut at the root, then the varieties will bear fruit only once in early autumn.
Ruben
It belongs to the most famous and popular variety. Grows up to 2 meters. The berries are large and heavy. Weight 14 grams. Resistant to frost and disease. There is no need to tie.
Black Magic
The variety is not very resistant to cold weather, so it is either bent to the soil or completely cut off before frost. Tied to trellises. Produces a good harvest.
Prime Arc-45
Grows up to 2 meters. There are many thorns on straight, strong shoots. The fruits are elongated, sweet and firm. Fruiting in early summer, and then a second time - from August to frost.
Prime Jim
Shoots are spiked, erect and strong. The fruits of sweet and sour taste are elongated and large.
Prime Yang
This erect plant grows to a medium height. Sweet fruits are endowed with a pleasant apple aroma. It belongs to the earliest of all remontant varieties.
Prime Arc Freedom
Features:
- grows without thorns;
- the variety is unpretentious;
- has good taste;
- fruits are large and well transportable;
- when sheltered for the winter period in the next season, they are able to bear fruit twice.
Bush blackberry
Due to its compactness, bush blackberries are the easiest to grow. Scourges need to be tied up, but they are limited in growth. The varieties are especially distinguished:
- Loughton;
- Agave;
- Chokeberry.
Creeping
Creeping berries have long shoots. Scourges have the ability to drag along the ground. At the same time, the berries begin to rot, and their collection becomes difficult. The fruits are large in size. The best options are:
- Black Beauty;
- Texas;
- Giant.
Shipless grades
The best variety without thorns is Black Satin. The height reaches 5 meters, and is formed on the support. Berries weight 8 grams. The fruits ripen gradually throughout the summer. Thanks to the power, 20 kilograms of berries are removed from the bush.
Natchez
The berries ripen early and are enormous. The taste is high, somewhat reminiscent of cherries. The variety is native to America.
Chester
Good frost-resistant variety. Able to tolerate frost -26 ° C. Refers to high-yielding crops. Possesses good taste.
Kiova
It is famous for its large fruits and productivity. Differs in extended fruiting, lasting 6 weeks. The mass of individual specimens of berries reaches 20 grams. 6 tons of fruits are harvested per hectare.
Clambia Star
Sweet berries with a slight sourness weigh 15 grams. Possessing a high yield, it allows harvesting 16 tons of fruits from one hectare. Blackberries can be stored for 4 days without loss of taste. The shoots of the creeping bush reach 5 meters. After fruiting is completed, they die off.
How to plant and grow blackberries in the Moscow region
Blackberries are a lover of light, but even in darkened places in the country, they can please gardeners with good harvests. But without access to the sun, the harvest will be minimal, and the fruits will grow small. Cultivation does not require much effort, and with minimal maintenance, the plant will delight you with a good harvest.
Preparatory work
A pit for planting seedlings must be prepared in advance at least three weeks in advance. The best option is to prepare a place in the fall and add manure to the hole.
The plant is acquired with a strong root system and no damage.
Required soil composition
You will need fertile and loose soil from rotted plant debris.
Timing and correct planting in the ground
Any novice summer resident does not know when to plant a plant correctly so that it takes root and pleases with the harvest faster. Therefore, before buying, they study important points:
- Plant seedlings immediately after the soil has thawed.
- If the bush has long lashes, then place the plant in a row every 2 meters. For upright ones, a distance of 1 meter is required.
- They keep 2.5 meters between the rows.
The site is chosen sunny and protected from the wind. The ideal place is the edge of an apple orchard. Groundwater should be below 1.5 meters.
Highlights of bush care
Agricultural technology is an important condition for obtaining a bountiful harvest. Although the plant is unpretentious, it requires special attention. The blackberry needs to be constantly examined. If pests are found, destroy insects by mechanical or chemical means. At the first signs of illness, treat with special preparations.
Watering
The crop tolerates drought easily, but prefers moist soil. Regular watering will help you achieve a good harvest.
Loosening the soil
To make the plant feel better, the earth is saturated with oxygen by loosening. Then the soil is mulched to retain moisture. This increases fruiting.
Top dressing
If the plant has slowed down its growth or there is a decrease in yield, then 20 grams of nitrogen fertilizers are applied under each bush.
Pruning blackberries
The plant needs regular pruning. Held twice a season.
In the spring
Shoots that have not survived the winter are removed. Then, to improve fruiting, the top is cut off from healthy branches.
In autumn
There are two types:
- In the remontant variety, shoots are removed at the root. This is geared towards a late harvest.
- Fruiting biennial shoots and excess growth in the usual variety are removed at the root. Leave only strong stems and cut them by a quarter.
How to tie a blackberry
Erect plants are tied with a cloth to the bottom row of the trellis and allowed to grow horizontally. This will make it easier to cover the bushes for the winter later.
Shelter blackberries for the winter
To protect the plant from frost, the bushes are bent to the ground and covered with a covering material. Also, to protect against cold weather, the soil is mulched.