By John, on July 25th, 2011 |
 When I planted Apache blackberries three seasons ago I thought the only thing that I needed to worry about were the deer eating the succulent primocane shoots and the birds stealing the ripening berries. But two years in a row now, my biggest issue has been the July heat which has once again taken a crop of ripening fat red berries and reduced them to withered brown turds. Most amazing is that it occurred over the course of just a couple of very hot days.
When it happened last year, I attributed the problem to insufficient watering so I expanded my irrigation system to include the blackberry patch and have been watering this year in between fairly regular rainfalls. …continue reading
By John, on July 25th, 2010 |
 This one was absolutely perfect! Unfortunately, the drought has taken it’s toll on the blackberries. I did finally extend my irrigation system to the blackberry bed but only after I noticed their suffering. By that time half of my berries had dried up and half of the surviving berries were misshapen…so I will relish those few perfect berries I am blessed with this year. …continue reading
By John, on June 5th, 2010 |
  My thornless upright Apache blackberries left, and wild blackberries growing on the slope behind my garage right. Look for a compare and contrast post in a few months. …continue reading
By John, on April 22nd, 2009 |
This is an experiment for me. Last year was my first stab at growing berries. I purchased 10 small canes at Lowes (5 red raspberry, 5 black raspberry). All appeared alive and healthy and I found a spare patch of ground in a out-of-the-way spot to plant them. Unfortunately, over the season 6 of the 10 didn’t make. The four surviving specimens are beginning to leaf out now but they are small.
…continue reading
|
|
|
When I planted Apache blackberries three seasons ago I thought the only thing that I needed to worry about were the deer eating the succulent primocane shoots and the birds stealing the ripening berries. But two years in a row now, my biggest issue has been the July heat which has once again taken a crop of ripening fat red berries and reduced them to withered brown turds. Most amazing is that it occurred over the course of just a couple of very hot days. 
recent Comments