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Whilst the plants require
plenty of humus to retain moisture and produce
large and juicy fruits, nitrogen is not as essential
as for loganberries, which fruit only on the new
season’s wood and must be encouraged to
make as much as possible.
For blackberries, give the ground some peat and
whatever humus is available. Clearings from ditches
are useful, together with garden compost or old
mushroom-bed manure. The plants will also benefit
from a yearly mulch of lawn mowings or peat, to
conserve soil moisture. In spring, 28g (1oz) of
sulphate of potash should be scattered on the
surface around each plant. This will improve the
quality of the fruit. Blackberries and all soft
fruits will benefit from an occasional watering
during wet weather of dilute liquid manure. This
should be given from July until September and
will enhance the quality of fruit and increase
cane growth.
After planting, which should be done in November-December
if possible, cut back the canes to 15cm (6in)
above soil level. New canes will appear in spring
and should be tied to wires horizontally or vertically
if growing against poles. Blackberries will fruit
on the new canes in autumn and will increase in
weight each year, bearing the heaviest crops of
all soft fruits.
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