Surprisingly boundless open spaces of our country. They are rich in wild plants: cedar cones, medicinal herbs, mushrooms. And there have always been a great many berries in the forest: raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries. Before, blackberries belonged to wild plants, and people feasted on the wonderful berries that grew on the outskirts of villages, sometimes right outside the gardens. Black fruits were included in the diet of any family, of which they prepared for the winter.
Blackberry places
Where does blackberry grow in Russia? Almost everywhere, throughout the country, especially in the middle lane, where the climate is suitable for it.
It can be found on the moist lands of flood meadows, near rivers and streams, among other shrubs, in ravines and clearings, where it creates impenetrable thickets. It is found both on the edges of the forest and on glades illuminated by the sun. It can be used as a hedge through which neither the beast nor the person can get. This is a blackberry gray-wild form.
There are ardent opponents of the garden blackberry, who believe that it can not be compared with the forest one. And the taste is not the same, and the forest is cleaner, without the "chemicals". Collect it in the last months of summer. In taste and appearance, black, with a waxy coating, the berries are similar to raspberries, but they are not so sweet, but slightly give sourness. Lovers of berry picking it in the forest will never tell where the blackberry grows. These are their secret places.
Biological characteristics of the plant
Since the blackberry belongs to the Rosaceae family, it can be compared with raspberries. This is a shrub with erect or creeping shoots. The root is perennial and penetrates deep into the soil. Associated with this is its drought tolerance.
The ground part is two years old. In the first year, shoots are laid, and in the second, inflorescences and fruits appear. By winter, the old branches die off, and in spring new ones appear. The blackberry has shoots of the first and second year, therefore you will receive a crop annually. Where does the blackberry grow on the plot? In the sun and in partial shade, on fertile soil.
Flowering begins in May and can last long under favorable weather conditions. The first fruits ripen in July, and the last in October. Berries ripen gradually. So fresh, it can be consumed until late autumn. Berries can be round and conical in shape, of various colors. We are used to black coloring, but it can be purple and even light shades. 300 varieties of plants are known, each of which is interesting for its qualities. Blackberries can be noted as a decorative shrub with beautiful leaves and fruits. Fruits in one place up to 15 years. The weakness of blackberries: varieties are not resistant to frost.
Low popularity of garden forms in Russia
In the USA, more than 30 varieties are used in the culture. The industrial scale of cultivation allows you to collect huge volumes of tasty and healthy products. The Thornfrey variety is especially popular - it is springless and gives not only a rich harvest, but also very decorative. We can see where blackberries grow in America and its unique varieties, on sites or in magazines dedicated to horticulture.
In our country, plants are not engaged in industrial cultivation. Farmers are not interested in this either. Only private traders are trying to grow on their personal plots. The reason is there is no information about garden seedlings that do not have thorns. And they have larger berries, and higher yields. We are triggered by the stereotype of a prickly shrub, studded with small berries, and even located in remote places. When you get there, you will tear your clothes and hurt your hands. Varietal blackberries, photos, where it grows, its modern varieties can be found in the relevant literature.
Varieties for the Leningrad region
Blackberries in the Leningrad Region, where not the whole list of berry crops grows, feels rather good.
Climate forms the proximity of the sea. It is moist, soft. Winters are warm, summers are moderately warm or cool. Therefore, varieties must be selected appropriate:
Arapaho is a vigorous, springless variety. The berries are black, conical in shape, dessert flavor. Winter hardiness - up to -24 degrees. The variety is not sick and is not affected by pests. Gives a large number of root offspring.
Brzezina is an early variety, a novelty of Polish selection. Shoots erect, powerful, non-bearing. The berry is large, elongated, of good taste. Suitable for long-term storage and transportation. An important positive feature is high frost resistance.
Marion, or Marionberry - a raspberry-blackberry hybrid. The berries are firm, large, shiny, juicy. They have a pronounced fruity aroma. Harvest from one bush 10 times the yield from raspberry bush. The hybrid is well cultivated. But sheltering shoots for the winter is necessary.
The variety can be selected based on your tastes, location of the site, winter hardiness of the plant.
Varieties for the Samara region
Where does blackberry grow in the Samara region? Wild - in the forests, of course. But let's talk about cultural forms in more detail. The climate here is quite warm, the temperature drops are small. We will focus on this when choosing a variety.
Karaka black is the novelty of the large-fruited garden blackberry. The variety came to us from New Zealand. The bush is tall but compact. Berries - up to 10 g, tasty and fragrant. They are well stored and transported. Grows in the sun and in partial shade, frost-resistant. But it is demanding on the soil.
Apache is another new product launched in Arkansas. From erect, non-bearing varieties gives the highest yield. The berry is large and sweet, conical in shape. He loves the sun and is picky about the soil. The variety is winter hardy.
The Himalayas are a shrub with sagging shoots. The fruits are similar to raspberries - red-black. The variety is early, large-fruited. It blooms in late spring and blooms for a long time. Demanding on soil and sun. Does not tolerate excess moisture. Winter hardy.
Breeders offer a large selection of varieties for this climate zone, there would be a desire and opportunity. Where the blackberry grows in Samara, there is a plant nursery "Ilyinka", which presents seedlings of fruit and berry plants.
Varieties for the Novosibirsk region
The Novosibirsk region belongs to Western Siberia, the climate here is continental: cold winters, hot summers, sudden changes in temperature.
For this zone, blackberry varieties need to be selected especially carefully and covered for the winter. In addition, a longer vegetation period with a large amount of active temperatures is needed. Where does blackberry grow in Novosibirsk? Wild - everywhere, cultural - in garden areas. You can offer some varieties:
Thornfrey is a variety with large, dense, black berries. Ripens late, average crop. Shoots creep and have a large length. Westy, without thorns. The variety is practically not sick. Can be propagated by green cuttings. Good winter hardiness.
Agaveam is one of the famous winter-hardy varieties. Ripening of fruits earlier. Berries of small mass, black. Productivity is average. The shoots are arched, strongly prickly, and the thorns are powerful. Shoots branch well. Propagated by offspring.
Thorless Logan is a variety that has large and shiny berries. They ripen late, the ripening period is uneven. The bush is large, but shoots without thorns. Productivity and winter hardiness are average. You can propagate by rooting the tops.
Popular now raspberry-blackberry hybrids in the Novosibirsk region do not tolerate winter and yield is low, so do not get involved in them.
The most important part of leaving is winter shelter
In autumn you need to remove the old, frustrated shoots. The stems of the first year are tied in bunches and tilted to the ground, covering for the winter.
Shelter is necessary even for frost-resistant varieties, because if winter temperatures are low, they will freeze. As a shelter, you can use any material: sawdust, tops, foliage, humus. Good and spruce branches that scare away rodents that damage shoots.
Blackberry - a pantry of beneficial properties
Where blackberries grow, you will never be left without vitamins. All parts of the plant have medicinal properties. Fruits and juice reduce thirst in the heat and lower the temperature during illness. Ripe berries are a mild laxative, but immature ones help with diarrhea. In the form of tea - berries are a good sedative and restorative. Juice contains many valuable acids, minerals and vitamins. Leaves are a good antiseptic, in addition, they improve intestinal motility. They are part of various tea blends.
It is difficult to list all the useful properties of this rare culture for us. But when you learn about them, you will probably want to plant several varieties on your site, so that in the summer there is a delicious berry, and in winter enjoy tea with blackberry jelly or jam.