I got all my 5 Triple Crown blackberry plants settled in their new Earth Box homes. Couple questions: 1. Is it all right now to prune the old branches that had fruit this summer and are now dying? 2. Should I put some kind of mulch over the top of the soil to keep it from drying out? I know you said not to use the plastic mulch sheets that came with the Earth Boxes. Thank you.
Wicking Tubs: Here's how to get them: ruclips.net/video/SlAOl995SaQ/видео.html Here's how to make them: ruclips.net/video/9guNoWP8_ls/видео.html Here's my "Hybrid" tub: ruclips.net/video/radHBan7-BI/видео.html
From my experience this method of fertilizing works best. I think it is due to the fact that it helps save the fertilizer for the producing stage vs the initial growth period.
Do you think you can use the same fertilizer that Leon uses in his containers? Do you use a blooming fertilizer in your reservoir once they start blooming?
@@BIGALTX thanks for sharing, answered my questions. I love your site. Just getting started looking at all your stuff. Awesome!!! Really like your blackberry videos since I am just getting started planting BBS. Appreciated and helpful
So what's the conclusion? Earthbox or your larger wicking tubs for blackberries? I definitely want to get some EB's for my cucumbers and tomatoes but trying to land on what to use for my blackberries.
I really think the Wicking Tubs are best for the berries. I think there is a little more soil volume (probably not much) and for whatever reason, they do a little better. Cons: EBs probably last a few years longer that WTs
I read that blackberry roots grow more outward than downward so the depth of the earth box should be just fine for you. I borrowed your ideas for wicking tubs and will be making some for planting berries. It may be a temporary home for them-I want berries but have too much going on to prepare beds this year. Eager to see how yours do. If nothing else, it'll keep them contained and make it easier to transplant if/when I make a permanent in-ground home for them. Thanks for sharing what you do, I'm sure it helps lots of people. I know your videos have helped me.
I did this about 10 years ago and the results were incredible. Not only did I get a lot of fruit but when the canes reached out and touched the ground some of them I allowed to stick their head in the ground and I knew more was born. I there staking system which allowed me to tie up My Canes. I also have the watering system which helps me to water all of my boxes in minutes. Unfortunately I didn’t pay attention and one day I must have cut the wrong cane while pruning. Whenever I plant something in my earth boxes I ask myself if it is worth it financially and I can truly say these blackberries in the box paid for themselves I think in one year, because blackberries in the store can be incredibly expensive.
I only have one EB planted with blackberries. All my other EBs were planted with vegetables. This year, the tomatoes did great in EBs as did the peppers. I now have greens and brassicas planted in them. Here's a recent video showing what's going in my EBs right now: ruclips.net/video/1ufxwIEhhAM/видео.html
The blackberry variety that I had in this Earthbox (Quachita) made it just fine. No problems at all. The variety I had in the blue Wicking Tubs (Prime Ark Freedom) took a hit in the big freeze. The root system doesn't seem to be hurt because they are coming back strong, but I lost a LOT of last year's canes. Here a look at the damage: ruclips.net/video/CRTP2zwSnp8/видео.html So... PAF's don't do well when the temp gets in the single digits or zero.
No really a fan of these pre done earth wiking boxes. Tried tomatoes in one it grew ok but I ran into water uses with my time constraints. I think a bigger box is necessary. Odd thing though I have several blackberries in grow bags with bottom 1/3 covered around with wood chips and they are doing well for 22nd year so far. I might get some blackberries this year. If not I'll be happy if they live. I have figs, mulberries, blueberries and raspberry to name a few growing in grow bags to get them to size up while I slowly prepare my yard.
Good to know about the grow bags that are working for you. I have 10 new growbags that I'll be planting this year. Do you have any blackberries in growbags? This is my first year for wicking tubs... so... we'll see. Keep watchin'
I have 8 at least in grow bags including raspberry plants. I have 4 Prime ark 45 4 white blackberries plants 2 form baker creek seeds and 2 from i think parks seeds. And 2 different raspberry plants. And one random BlackBerry with thorns. Found they grow best when I piled a little mulch around them . Also some people use Wal-Mart recyclable bags a grow bags. Also would love to see a few more people grow white blackberries... Oh and I also bought a white mulberry tree as well. No fruit on any yet.
@@BIGALTX so far I am starting my 2nd year got BlackBerry at 6 in now they are over 5 feel. Bags last 3 4cyears I have bags going on 3 years crepe myrtle on 1 bag
I got all my 5 Triple Crown blackberry plants settled in their new Earth Box homes. Couple questions:
1. Is it all right now to prune the old branches that had fruit this summer and are now dying?
2. Should I put some kind of mulch over the top of the soil to keep it from drying out? I know you said not to use the plastic mulch sheets that came with the Earth Boxes.
Thank you.
Yes, prune out any canes that are dead. And yes, it would be a good idea to mulch them heavily if possible.
Yes, prune out any canes that are dead. And yes, it would be a good idea to mulch them heavily if possible.
Blackberries like a slightly acidic (lower ) ph. Do you still add Dolomite which will raise the ph?
I do on the initial planting.
But usually don't redo the lime in subsequent years (or if i do, it's very little)
I can't find an update to this. Did the blackberries grow in the EarthBox?
I left them in there for about two years and they did fine. I gave the plant to my neighbor who planted it in the ground.
Where's your video on making the wicking tubs??
Wicking Tubs:
Here's how to get them: ruclips.net/video/SlAOl995SaQ/видео.html
Here's how to make them: ruclips.net/video/9guNoWP8_ls/видео.html
Here's my "Hybrid" tub: ruclips.net/video/radHBan7-BI/видео.html
How did it go
I kept it in the EB for about 2 years.
It did great, but didn't need it and gave it to my neighbor
I put it in the ground
Its been so hot wonder how these.are.doing.
They did great for a couple of years.
But, I gave the plants to my neighbor a couple of months ago and he planted them in the ground
I'm getting ready to order my blackberry bushes and wondering if i should use tubes or earth boxes?
I think Wicking Tubs do a lot better than EBs
I've only had one berry plant in an EB, so it wasn't a huge comparison... but WTs seem to do better
Sooooo why did all the fertilizer go in just one spot and not get spread out/mixed with the soil?
That's the way EarthBox's are designed to work.
They have a lot of videos showing how to distribute the fertilizer
From my experience this method of fertilizing works best. I think it is due to the fact that it helps save the fertilizer for the producing stage vs the initial growth period.
Do you think you can use the same fertilizer that Leon uses in his containers? Do you use a blooming fertilizer in your reservoir once they start blooming?
Here's my fertilization program: ruclips.net/video/O_cz85rAkWI/видео.html
@@BIGALTX thanks for sharing, answered my questions. I love your site. Just getting started looking at all your stuff. Awesome!!! Really like your blackberry videos since I am just getting started planting BBS. Appreciated and helpful
do you think I could grow grapes in the earthbox with the 7ft. staking system????
I haven't tried grapes... but I plan to plant a couple in Earthboxes this fall.
I think it would work!
Can I ask how this worked out? I have a dwarf blueberry (Pink Icing) I’m thinking of putting in one right now.
They are still there and doing well.
I think they do better in wicking tubs, but EBs seem to be OK too
ruclips.net/video/aGCbOCT_IAA/видео.html
@@BIGALTX that’s awesome. Have you ever built like a DIY cold frame for earthboxes? You’re so handy I figure you probably have some idea at least.
@@femmegem9466
Nope. I've never seen a need for one :)
cool ! good luck
Thanks... keep watchin' to see how they do :)
Very nice! I had a small black raspberry bush that yielded 4 quarts per season... wish I remembered the genus
That's a lot for one plant... nice
So what's the conclusion? Earthbox or your larger wicking tubs for blackberries? I definitely want to get some EB's for my cucumbers and tomatoes but trying to land on what to use for my blackberries.
I really think the Wicking Tubs are best for the berries.
I think there is a little more soil volume (probably not much) and for whatever reason, they do a little better.
Cons: EBs probably last a few years longer that WTs
@@BIGALTX Super helpful. Thank you!! Love all of your insight and instructions. Keep them coming. Thanks!!
I read that blackberry roots grow more outward than downward so the depth of the earth box should be just fine for you. I borrowed your ideas for wicking tubs and will be making some for planting berries. It may be a temporary home for them-I want berries but have too much going on to prepare beds this year. Eager to see how yours do. If nothing else, it'll keep them contained and make it easier to transplant if/when I make a permanent in-ground home for them.
Thanks for sharing what you do, I'm sure it helps lots of people. I know your videos have helped me.
Glad to help
We're in this together
👍
I’m interested in seeing how that works for you!
Me TOO! 😅
I did this about 10 years ago and the results were incredible. Not only did I get a lot of fruit but when the canes reached out and touched the ground some of them I allowed to stick their head in the ground and I knew more was born. I there staking system which allowed me to tie up My Canes. I also have the watering system which helps me to water all of my boxes in minutes. Unfortunately I didn’t pay attention and one day I must have cut the wrong cane while pruning. Whenever I plant something in my earth boxes I ask myself if it is worth it financially and I can truly say these blackberries in the box paid for themselves I think in one year, because blackberries in the store can be incredibly expensive.
Would love an update on your blackberries specifically in earthboxes! I'm also curious what your favorite earthbox crop is!
I only have one EB planted with blackberries.
All my other EBs were planted with vegetables.
This year, the tomatoes did great in EBs as did the peppers.
I now have greens and brassicas planted in them.
Here's a recent video showing what's going in my EBs right now: ruclips.net/video/1ufxwIEhhAM/видео.html
I cant see why it wouldn't work fine.. depth is generous for blackberries it appears!
That's what I'm thinking... 😎
I buy the bigger version of Earthbox at Home Depot.
Love them gonna try berries in them as well. Guessing they make it through the winter ?
The blackberry variety that I had in this Earthbox (Quachita) made it just fine. No problems at all.
The variety I had in the blue Wicking Tubs (Prime Ark Freedom) took a hit in the big freeze.
The root system doesn't seem to be hurt because they are coming back strong, but I lost a LOT of last year's canes.
Here a look at the damage: ruclips.net/video/CRTP2zwSnp8/видео.html
So... PAF's don't do well when the temp gets in the single digits or zero.
I’m curious .. what happens to TP1?
LOL... there was already a TP... so I just picked TP2 as a handle
No really a fan of these pre done earth wiking boxes. Tried tomatoes in one it grew ok but I ran into water uses with my time constraints. I think a bigger box is necessary. Odd thing though I have several blackberries in grow bags with bottom 1/3 covered around with wood chips and they are doing well for 22nd year so far. I might get some blackberries this year. If not I'll be happy if they live. I have figs, mulberries, blueberries and raspberry to name a few growing in grow bags to get them to size up while I slowly prepare my yard.
Good to know about the grow bags that are working for you.
I have 10 new growbags that I'll be planting this year.
Do you have any blackberries in growbags?
This is my first year for wicking tubs... so... we'll see.
Keep watchin'
I have 8 at least in grow bags including raspberry plants. I have 4 Prime ark 45 4 white blackberries plants 2 form baker creek seeds and 2 from i think parks seeds. And 2 different raspberry plants. And one random BlackBerry with thorns. Found they grow best when I piled a little mulch around them . Also some people use Wal-Mart recyclable bags a grow bags. Also would love to see a few more people grow white blackberries... Oh and I also bought a white mulberry tree as well. No fruit on any yet.
@@MrBuzyb77
How long can blackberries stay in a grow bag?
@@BIGALTX so far I am starting my 2nd year got BlackBerry at 6 in now they are over 5 feel. Bags last 3 4cyears I have bags going on 3 years crepe myrtle on 1 bag
Man! You ever sleep!
About 7 hours each night... and a ONE HOUR NAP in the afternoon!!
Naps ROCK!
😎👍