How To Plant Navaho Blackberries

Planting Navaho blackberries is a rewarding way to enjoy sweet, juicy fruit right from your own backyard.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to plant Navaho blackberries, you’re in the right place because these thornless beauties are one of the easiest blackberry varieties to grow at home.
 
Navaho blackberries are self-pollinating, which means you only need one plant to get fruit, though planting a few will give you a bigger harvest.
 
They produce firm, glossy berries with a rich, sweet flavor and they thrive in USDA hardiness zones 6 through 10.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to plant Navaho blackberries step by step, from choosing the right spot to caring for your new plants.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

How to Plant Navaho Blackberries: The Basics

Knowing how to plant Navaho blackberries starts with getting the fundamentals right.
 
Here’s what you need to keep in mind:
 

1. Choose the Right Time of Year

The best time to plant Navaho blackberries is in late winter or early spring while the plants are still dormant.
 
Planting Navaho blackberries during dormancy gives the roots time to settle in before the heat of summer arrives.
 
In milder climates, you can also plant Navaho blackberries in late fall, which lets them establish roots before winter.
 
Avoid planting during the peak of summer, as the stress can stunt your Navaho blackberries.
 

2. Pick a Spot With Full Sun

When you plant Navaho blackberries, choose a location that gets at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day.
 
Navaho blackberries planted in full sun produce more fruit and sweeter berries than those grown in shade.
 
Good air circulation is also important, so avoid spots crowded by other plants or walls.
 

3. Test and Amend Your Soil

You should plant Navaho blackberries in well-drained soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
 
If your soil holds water like a sponge, amend it with compost or plant your Navaho blackberries in raised beds.
 
Mixing in organic matter before you plant Navaho blackberries gives the roots a nutrient-rich start.
 

Steps to Plant Navaho Blackberries

Once you know the basics, planting Navaho blackberries is a simple process.
 
Follow these steps and your Navaho blackberries will be off to a strong start:
 

1. Space Your Plants Properly

Space your Navaho blackberries about three to four feet apart in rows that are eight to ten feet apart.
 
Proper spacing matters because Navaho blackberries spread through underground runners and need room to grow.
 
Crowded Navaho blackberries are more prone to disease and produce less fruit.
 

2. Dig the Right Size Hole

Dig a hole that’s wide enough to spread the roots and just as deep as the plant was growing in its nursery pot.
 
Set your Navaho blackberries in the hole and spread the roots out gently.
 
Backfill with soil, firm it down, and make sure the crown sits at or slightly below ground level.
 

3. Water Deeply After Planting

After you plant Navaho blackberries, water them thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots.
 
Keep the soil consistently moist during the first growing season, but never soggy.
 
A layer of mulch around your Navaho blackberries helps retain moisture and keeps weeds down.
 

4. Add Support for Your Plants

Navaho blackberries grow on upright canes and benefit from a trellis or wire support system.
 
Set up your trellis at planting time so you don’t disturb the roots later.
 
Supporting your Navaho blackberries keeps the canes off the ground, which reduces rot and makes picking easier.
 

Caring for Navaho Blackberries After Planting

How you care for Navaho blackberries after planting determines how well they produce in the years ahead.
 
Here’s what to focus on:
 

1. Water Regularly

Navaho blackberries need about one to two inches of water per week, from rain or irrigation.
 
Water deeply once a week rather than lightly every day to encourage strong, deep roots.
 
Drip irrigation is a great way to keep your Navaho blackberries hydrated without wetting the foliage.
 

2. Fertilize in Early Spring

Feed your Navaho blackberries with a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins.
 
Avoid over-fertilizing Navaho blackberries with nitrogen, as this leads to lush leaves but few berries.
 
A soil test takes the guesswork out of feeding your Navaho blackberries properly.
 

3. Prune the Canes

Navaho blackberries are primocane-fruiting, which means they fruit on first-year canes.
 
In late winter, cut back the tips of your Navaho blackberries to encourage branching and more fruit.
 
After the canes finish fruiting, remove the ones that have fruited to make room for new growth.
 
Regular pruning keeps your Navaho blackberries healthy and productive year after year.
 

4. Watch for Pests and Diseases

Navaho blackberries are fairly disease-resistant, but they can still attract aphids, spider mites, and birds.
 
Keep an eye on your Navaho blackberries and treat problems early before they spread.
 
Netting over your Navaho blackberries protects the ripening fruit from hungry birds.
 

So, How to Plant Navaho Blackberries?

Planting Navaho blackberries comes down to picking the right spot, timing, and soil, then giving them steady care as they grow.
 
Now that you know how to plant Navaho blackberries, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of sweet, thornless berries within a year or two.
 
Plant Navaho blackberries this season and you’ll soon be picking fresh berries right outside your door.