How To Start Thornless Blackberries

To start thornless blackberries, pick a sunny spot with well-drained soil and plant certified disease-free canes in early spring or late fall.
 
Thornless blackberries are a fantastic choice if you love the taste of fresh berries but hate getting scratched up during harvest.
 
Unlike their wild cousins, these varieties produce sweet, juicy fruit on canes that won’t tear your hands apart.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to start thornless blackberries in your own backyard, you’re in the right place.
 
The good news is that starting thornless blackberries is easier than you might think, whether you’re planting bare-root canes or potted plants.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to start thornless blackberries, including the best varieties, site selection, planting steps, and early care tips.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

How to Start Thornless Blackberries: The Basics

Starting thornless blackberries begins with understanding what these plants need to thrive.
 
They’re perennial shrubs that produce fruit on biennial canes, meaning canes grow one year and fruit the next.
 
When you start thornless blackberries, you’re setting up a patch that can produce for a decade or more with proper care.
 
Here’s what you need to know before you plant.
 

1. Choose the Right Thornless Variety

The first step in how to start thornless blackberries is picking a variety suited to your climate.
 
‘Navaho’ is a popular erect variety that works well in most regions and produces sweet, firm berries.
 
‘Arapaho’ ripens early and has excellent flavor, making it a great choice for beginners.
 
‘Chester’ is semi-erect and very cold-hardy, perfect for northern gardeners who want to start thornless blackberries.
 
‘Triple Crown’ is another semi-erect option with large, flavorful berries and good disease resistance.
 
If you’re in a warmer climate, ‘Prime-Ark Traveler’ is a primocane variety that fruits on first-year canes.
 

2. Pick the Perfect Planting Site

Thornless blackberries need full sun, at least six to eight hours daily, to produce maximum fruit.
 
Good air circulation helps prevent disease, so avoid planting them in low spots where cold air settles.
 
The soil should be well-drained and rich in organic matter, with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
 
If your soil holds water, amend it with compost or plant in raised beds.
 
When you start thornless blackberries, keep them away from wild brambles that can spread disease.
 

3. Plant at the Right Time

The best time to start thornless blackberries is early spring, after the last frost but before summer heat.
 
In milder climates, you can also plant in late fall so roots establish before winter.
 
Bare-root canes are cheapest and available in early spring, while potted plants can go in anytime during the growing season.
 
Soak bare roots for a few hours before planting to rehydrate them.
 

Step-by-Step Guide to Starting Thornless Blackberries

Now that you know the basics, here’s exactly how to start thornless blackberries in your garden.
 

1. Prepare the Soil

Clear weeds and grass from your planting area, then till the soil to loosen it.
 
Mix in a generous amount of compost or aged manure to improve fertility and drainage.
 
If you’re starting thornless blackberries in rows, space them eight to ten feet apart.
 
For a hedge-like effect, plant them three to four feet apart within the row.
 

2. Dig and Plant

Dig a hole wide enough to spread the roots comfortably, usually about a foot deep.
 
Set the plant so the crown, where roots meet stems, sits just below the soil surface.
 
Backfill with soil, firm it gently, and water thoroughly to settle the roots.
 
When you start thornless blackberries, don’t bury them too deep or they may rot.
 

3. Water and Mulch

Thornless blackberries need consistent moisture, especially during the first growing season.
 
Water deeply once or twice a week, aiming for about an inch of water weekly.
 
Apply a layer of mulch, like straw or wood chips, to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
 
Keep mulch a few inches away from the canes to prevent rot.
 

4. Provide Support

Even thornless blackberries benefit from a trellis or support system.
 
Erect varieties can stand alone but produce better with a simple T-bar trellis.
 
Semi-erect and trailing types definitely need a trellis to keep fruit off the ground.
 
Set up your support at planting time so you don’t disturb roots later.
 

Caring for Your New Thornless Blackberry Plants

Once your plants are in the ground, a little care goes a long way toward a healthy, productive patch.
 

1. Fertilize Wisely

Start thornless blackberries with a balanced fertilizer in early spring before new growth appears.
 
Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen, which promotes leafy growth at the expense of fruit.
 
A soil test can tell you exactly what your plants need.
 

2. Prune Regularly

Thornless blackberries fruit on second-year canes, so prune out canes that have already fruited.
 
In late winter, remove weak, damaged, or dead canes to keep the patch tidy.
 
Proper pruning improves airflow and reduces disease pressure.
 

3. Watch for Pests and Disease

Common issues include aphids, spider mites, and fungal diseases like anthracnose.
 
Good spacing and air circulation prevent most problems naturally.
 
If you spot trouble, treat it early with insecticidal soap or a fungicide labeled for berries.
 

So, How Do You Start Thornless Blackberries?

You start thornless blackberries by choosing a suitable variety, planting in full sun with well-drained soil, and caring for them consistently.
 
With the right site and a bit of patience, your thornless blackberry patch will reward you with years of sweet, scratch-free harvests.
 
Whether you plant bare-root canes or potted starts, the process is simple and beginner-friendly.
 
Just remember to water, mulch, trellis, and prune, and you’ll be picking berries before you know it.