Careful site selection will ensure a long life for your blackberries, which usually live for about a decade with proper care. The ideal soil is slightly acidic with good drainage; these plants do not do well in clay soil. An elevated site or raised beds will not only help drainage but will also prevent late spring frosts from damaging flower buds.
Sites with full sun are best for productive blackberry bushes. Some afternoon shade is tolerated, especially in areas with hot summers.
Blackberries need moderate amounts of water, around 1 inch per week provided either by rainfall or from ground-level irrigation. Blackberries do not fare well in wet soils.
As members of the Rosaceae family, the cultivation of blackberries resembles that of rose bushes. Fortunately, blackberries are closer to wild roses in their ease of care than they are to a hybrid tea rose. Blackberries will tolerate many growing conditions.
Blackberry plants are shrubby fruit-bearing species. They are classified within the genus Rubus, which is part of the rose family, Rosaceae. The fruit produced by these bushes is known as blackberries. Similar to their relative, the raspberry, blackberries are rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, and dietary fiber. They have a low total fat content and no saturated fat.