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It is possible to plant blackberries next to raspberries, since the crops are related. They have many common growing conditions, and their proximity brings many advantages. Such joint planting also has negative sides.
Features of growing raspberries and blackberries
It is important to choose the right place to plant blackberries next to raspberries. The basic requirements are:
- good lighting;
- protection from strong winds – it damages foliage and fruits and prevents pollination;
- groundwater distance is at least 1.5 m from the surface;
- no moisture stagnation;
- optimal acidity level pH 6.
Both blackberries and raspberries love soil with a light structure that does not retain moisture. Blackberries produce maximum yield when planted in well-drained loam. This soil's mechanical composition is also suitable for raspberries. It is more effective to grow the crop on chernozem, gray forest and soddy-podzolic soil.
Raspberry and blackberry plantings require comprehensive care. When growing these crops, the following activities are important:
- regular and abundant watering;
- systematic weeding and loosening;
- mulching - this measure inhibits the growth of weeds and prevents valuable moisture from evaporating;
- fertilizing several times per season;
- pruning
Both crops respond well to nitrogen fertilizers. It is effective to mulch the bushes with humus or compost so that valuable elements are supplied with each watering. Nitrogen fertilizers are appropriate until mid-summer, after which their amount is reduced. Otherwise, the growth period will be extended, the crops will not have time to prepare for winter and will suffer during it.
Raspberries and blackberries are united by high shoot formation. This means pruning is necessary. In blackberries, only shoots of the second year of life bear fruit. They need to be cut out in the fall. Raspberry shoots only live for two years. By the end of the period after fruiting, they dry out. They need to be removed so that new stems will appear next year.
In the spring, sanitary pruning is carried out. They get rid of shoots damaged during the winter. They are shortened to the first living bud.
Blackberries and raspberries are planted at a certain interval, forming rows. It is effective to use trellises to limit them, on which it is convenient to attach shoots in the summer.
The best option for pairing with blackberries is black raspberries, which are a hybrid of both species.
Is it possible to plant blackberries next to raspberries?
You can plant raspberries and blackberries together, since these crops are relatives. Both plants have the form of a subshrub. They belong to the same family Rosaceae and genus Rubus.
The advantages of combining raspberries with blackberries
Planting raspberries and blackberries together has many positive aspects. The main advantages are:
- harmonious type of planting;
- lack of cross-pollination - taste and other properties are preserved;
- the same requirements for the planting site - it is easier to select and prepare the site;
- similar care measures - this makes life much easier for the gardener;
- common diseases and pests - the same treatment is needed for treatment and prevention.
Disadvantages of mixing blackberries with raspberries
The main disadvantage of planting blackberries next to raspberries is the ability of both crops to grow quickly and strongly. This makes it much more difficult not only to care for the bushes, but also to harvest the crop. It is difficult to get through these thorny bushes, and it is not easy to collect the mixed berries. Regular removal of root growth and systematic pruning will help to avoid such trouble.
The proximity to raspberries and blackberries has other disadvantages:
- common diseases and pests - the problem of one crop quickly spreads to the second;
- raspberries are stronger and can survive blackberries if there are too few bushes of the latter.
Most blackberry varieties are more drought- and frost-resistant than their relatives. These features should be taken into account when watering and preparing for winter, focusing specifically on raspberries.
Proper joint planting of raspberries with blackberry bushes and proper care for them will deprive such a neighborhood of disadvantages
How to plant blackberries next to raspberries
It is recommended to plant blackberries only in spring. Different seasons are suitable for raspberries:
- spring before bud growth - this time is optimal for seedlings with an open root system;
- summer is the right time to plant green cuttings;
- autumn - better in the second half of August or September, there should be at least two weeks before frost.
It is more efficient to plant both crops at the same time. It is important to maintain the spacing between rows. The recommended distance is 1.5-2 m. Bushes can be placed at intervals of 0.5 m.
If saving space comes first, then it is better to choose varieties with low shoot-forming ability. Then they can be placed more densely, including two seedlings in one hole. In this case, it is better for the bushes to allocate a place along the fence or on the border of the site, retreating 1 m.
It is better to determine the place for planting raspberries and blackberries in advance. It is effective to plan such a neighborhood 2-3 years in advance in order to properly prepare the site. Good predecessors for both shrubs are:
- annual legumes;
- green manure;
- cereals;
- pumpkin crops - zucchini, cucumbers, squash.
Raspberries and blackberries are not returned to their original place for at least five years. In addition to their own species, tomatoes, potatoes and garden strawberries are bad predecessors for both crops. The reason lies in the same diseases and pests, absorbing valuable elements from the soil.
The dominance of raspberry bushes is not recommended - they are planted the same or less than blackberries
When planting raspberries and blackberries together, it is important to properly prepare the site from last year:
- Dig up the selected location.
- Remove all weeds.
- Apply mineral fertilizers and organic matter in the fall. For 1 m², 25 g of potassium sulfate, 15 g of superphosphate, 10 kg of manure, compost or humus are enough. Fertilizers are mixed with the fertile part of the soil.
- Prepare holes in spring.
Planting pits for raspberries and blackberries are prepared according to the size of the seedlings.Usually a recess of 40x50 cm is sufficient. An alternative option is to make trenches.
When planting bushes, it is important to deepen the seedling so that the base of the stem with the replacement bud is 2-3 cm below the surface.
After placing the seedlings, the soil must be compacted. Plants are watered, spending 4-6 liters per bush. Organic mulching is recommended. In the fall it is better to replace it with other materials.
Both raspberries and blackberry bushes are pruned immediately after planting. Leave only 25-30 cm.
Raspberries grow strongly, taking over the territory occupied by neighboring bushes. A hard material such as slate, metal or durable plastic dug into the ground will help limit its invasion. Such sheets are buried by 0.5-0.6 m.
Conclusion
You can plant blackberries next to raspberries due to their relationship. Such a neighborhood has many positive aspects, and the few disadvantages can be easily eliminated by proper placement of bushes and proper care for them.
