Blackberries in the Urals: planting and care, the best varieties and growing with photos

Wild blackberries have very long stems, covered with rare thorns and a bluish purine coating. In the first year, fruit buds form on the shoot, in the second, lateral branches with inflorescences appear. After the berries ripen, the stems dry out at the age of 2 years. The leaves of the shrub are dried, brewed and drunk as tea. Ripe fruits of the plant are rich in organic acids, vitamins, pectin. Observing the requirements for planting and caring for blackberries in the Urals, you can count on a good harvest.

How to choose the right variety

After the cultivation of the wild perennial, in addition to the creeping variety of the plant, an upright blackberry was bred.But almost all varieties of shrubs do not withstand such frosts as raspberries, which belong to the same genus Rubus. In Siberia, where the air temperature drops to -40 ° C, blackberries grow, but it is necessary to plant varieties adapted to harsh climate conditions and take into account that you still have to cover the bushes.

For the Urals, where strong winds blow, preference should be given to upright frost-resistant shrubs.

Blackberry varieties for Siberia

Culture from the genus Rubus in North America is grown on an industrial scale. In Russia, it is planted mainly by summer residents in the Leningrad region, and in the Moscow region, and in the Far East, and in the Crimea.

Blackberries take root and bear fruit in Siberia:

• Taylor;
• Agawam;
• Laughton;
• Thornfree.

Varieties are valued for large berries, decorative appearance. All of them withstand frost, but in a harsh climate they shelter for the winter.

Early

In Siberia, it is recommended to plant blackberries, which ripen not in September, when it is already cold, but in early summer. The Eldorado variety takes root in regions with a harsh climate. Upright bushes have long shoots covered with large thorns. In early June, blackberries Giant ripen. The fruit weighs only 7 g, but the plant gives a good harvest, is valued for its high winter hardiness.

One of the new early hybrids of Black Bute is distinguished by large fruits, individual specimens weigh 20-23 grams. The oval berries of Agawam blackberries are harvested in several stages. Bushes of this variety are of medium height, thick shoots falling down, dotted with brown thorns. The plant withstands frosts down to -30 °С.

Medium ripening

In a temperate climate, the Tupi blackberry variety takes root. An upright bush with small thorns is rarely affected by diseases; it tolerates frosts under cover.Harvest ripens by early August. The weight of one berry reaches 9-10 grams. The Lauton variety is distinguished by friendly ripening, a whole bucket of small blackberries is harvested from the bush in a favorable year.

A plant with long branches does not suffer from diseases, but frosts below -20 ° C are tolerated only under cover.

Late-ripening

In regions where the summer is short, varieties with early ripening are planted, but in the south of Siberia they grow Texas blackberries, bred by Michurin. Fragrant sour berries weighing about 10 grams ripen on creeping bushes in August, which can be canned and frozen.

Chokeberry must be covered for the winter. Harvested in the last month of summer and in September. 15-17 small fruits are tied on one branch of the plant.

Shade Tolerant

Blackberries take root in different conditions, but the taste of berries deteriorates with a lack of light, with damp and rainy weather. The shrub loves the sun, but some varieties feel fine in the shade. Agawam can be attributed to them, its advantages are called:

• exceptional frost resistance;
• high yield;
• good taste of berries.

Growing in the shade Thornless Evergreen variety. There are no thorns on the shoots of the plant. More than 60 small fruits are tied on one brush.

Frost resistant

Darrow blackberry adapts well to the cold winters of Siberia. An erect bush covered with thorns does not die at a temperature of -35 ° C.

High frost resistance:

• Eldorado;
• Agawam;
• Snyder.

American hybrid Thornfree pleases with large berries. Vigorous plant with long shoots does not suffer from diseases, tolerates cold winters normally, but under cover.

Repair

To increase the yield of blackberries, the bushes are thinned out, leaving no more than 5 branches. In Siberia, where cold autumn quickly comes, among remontant plant varieties strewn with fruits, only a few take root - Black Magic and Ruben with large berries and good winter hardiness, as well as Prime Yan, adapted to adverse conditions.

The best varieties for the Urals

In regions where there are few sunny days with high temperatures, blackberries are planted, which can withstand severe frosts and have time to ripen before the cold weather. In the Urals, upright semi-shrub varieties take root better, which suffer less from the wind - Black Satin, Kiova, Valdo.

Early

In a harsh climate, Eldorado blackberry feels fine, which not only has high winter hardiness, but also pleases with pleasant-tasting berries that ripen in early summer.Snyder variety is not affected by fungi, grows on any soil. The shoots of an upright bush covered with large thorns do not freeze at low temperatures, small fruits ripen by the end of June. Polar endures spring drops, withstands frosts down to -30 ^{C, sweet blackberries are harvested in the first month of summer. One plant produces up to half a bucket of berries.}

Mid-ripening

The fruits of the Gazda variety, created in Poland, have time to ripen in the Urals. Tall bushes of the hybrid endure severe cold, do not suffer from diseases. On shoots, slightly covered with thorns, blackberries ripen in early or mid-August, fruit picking ends in September.

Lauton pleases with high yields, the berries ripen by the end of summer.

Later

In the Urals, blackberry hybrids are mainly planted, the fruits of which ripen in July. Under shelter endure low temperatures Texas and Oregon Thornless.Both varieties delight with a large number of berries. A bucket of fruits is harvested from one bush, which ripen by the end of August - the beginning of September.

Winter hardy

The lowest temperatures endure Agawam. The Giant almost does not lag behind this variety. Upright Darrow bushes do not freeze at -35 ^{C. Winter-hardy hybrids of Thornfree and Amara successfully withstand the Ural frosts.}

Shrub

Upright blackberry tolerates low temperatures and strong winds, but requires shelter in northern latitudes. The stems of these plants are strewn with thorns or thorns, reach a height of 2 meters. Bush varieties Ruben, Agavam, Gazda take root in the Urals.

Crawling

In the forests of Europe, the Asian taiga in the wild, you can find dewdrops, the shoots of which creep along the ground, reach 4-5 meters. Such a blackberry bears fruit in the shade, is not afraid of drought. Oregon Thornless, Texas hybrids are cultivated in the Urals, but in winter they freeze without shelter.

How to plant and grow a crop

Growing blackberries in a harsh climate is not so easy, but with the observance of the requirements of agricultural technology, careful care, it rewards with berries rich in useful components.

Times suitable for planting

In Europe and America, where blackberries are cultivated on an industrial scale, there is not much difference when the shoots of the plant are sent to the ground - in spring or autumn, but it depends on this period whether the shrub will survive in a climate with cold winters, late frosts. To eliminate the risk of blackberry death in the Urals and Siberia, it is planted in the first decade of May or from September 1 to September 15. In this case, the highest probability that the plant will not only survive, but also be able to take root.

Where to plant on the plot

The place for blackberries should be well lit by the sun, be inaccessible to northern winds.The semi-shrub feels comfortable at a distance of a meter along a hedge or fence on the west or south side. Blackberries need fertile land, not rocks, s alt marshes or marshes. The culture dies when the roots reach the groundwater.

Pre-planting work

Having chosen a suitable place for the plant, the entire area is freed from weeds, the remains of the stems are removed, the soil is carefully dug up.

Site preparation

Since blackberries are demanding on soil fertility, before planting, the land must be fertilized with organic matter and mineral complexes.

For 1 sq. m area contributed:

• bucket of humus;
• 2 tbsp. spoons of potassium sulfate;
• 100 g superphosphate.

10-15 days before planting blackberries in a plot in several rows, they dig deep holes with a diameter of 40-50 cm, leaving a distance of 1.5 m between each.

Preparation of planting material

Crop bushes, which are preferable to buy in a nursery, are soaked in water, where they must stay for at least half a day.

Procedure technology

The seedling is placed vertically in the hole, deepening the neck by 2 or 3 cm, the roots are laid on a mound made in the hole. After that, a groove is dug around the bush, half a bucket of water is poured, the ground near the plant is mulched with peat. Shoots are pruned, leaving branches up to 5 cm long.

Aftercare

If you take care of the blackberry, even in a harsh climate, it rewards with the first fruits. In order for the roots to be saturated with oxygen, you need to constantly loosen the earth throughout the area.

Irrigation

The first month or 2 after planting, the bushes need to be watered frequently. After the blackberry takes root, the amount of moisture is reduced. But when the berries begin to ripen, once a week 2 buckets of water are poured under each bush.

Foliar and root fertilizer

Spring blackberries need nitrogen, it is contained in urea. Every 2 years, a bucket of compost or humus is added under the bushes, and the stems and leaves are sprayed with Bordeaux liquid.

Garter for supports

Blackberry has very long shoots, after planting and pruning they are fixed to the trellis:

• fan;
• wave;
• rope.

The shoots are attached to the wire in the center, and the fruit-bearing shoots are directed to the side, woven together in twos or allowed to trail down. Tying to a support in any of these ways makes pruning easier, making it easier to pick berries.

Formation

If the shrub produces flowers in the first year, it is advisable to cut them off. The following spring, the branches are shortened by 15 centimeters. In the summer, fruit-bearing shoots are cut off completely, excess growth is removed.

Shelter for the winter period

Even cold-resistant hybrid varieties of crops in Siberia and the Urals often freeze out. To prevent this from happening, in the fall they dig a trench where young branches are laid, covered with needles and sawdust. In the spring, before the buds appear, the plant is freed from covering material.

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