Sweetie Pie Thornless Blackberry Plant

Sweetie Pie Thornless Blackberry

Sweetie Pie Blackberry is an excellent choice for homeowners who wish to grow their own fruit and for you-pick operations and farmer’s markets. Like most blackberry plants, Sweetie Pie has a perennial root system but biennial canes, meaning they fruit only on the second year’s growth. Peak fruit production starts to occur in year three.

Sweetie Pie has its ripening season in the middle of or late in the blackberry-growing period. In addition to its excellent fruit quality, Sweetie Pie is resistant to double blossom. Also called rosette, this is a condition caused by fungus that is problematic of some blackberry cultivars.

Growing Blackberry Plants

Set blackberry plants in the ground 3 to 5 feet apart in an area that receives full sunlight. February and March are good planting times, so if you’ve ever wanted a blackberry, plant one or two now.

Raised beds with consistent irrigation produce the best results. Another option is to grow them in large containers.Blackberries are self-fertile, so there is no need to plant multiple cultivars unless desired. Bees are the primary pollinators, so encourage their activity as much as possible.

Supply fertilizer and irrigation to substantially enhance the amount and quality of fruit. Be sure to soil test at least every three years. Make sure you follow fertilization recommendations, and keep soil nutrients in the optimal ranges.

Usually, a cultivar bears fruit for 2 to 4 weeks. Blackberries need to be harvested when fully ripe, since they do not ripen after harvest. Refrigerate berries as soon as possible after harvest, and do not let harvested fruit sit in the sun. The fruit is best when consumed immediately or frozen, as it will not store fresh for long periods.

Shipping

You will receive one Sweetie Pie Thornless rooted plant.Your plant will be shipped with the roots covered in soil and dampened in a small plastic bag and ready to plant upon arrival. The plant will be approximately 4” to 5” in height.