Berries are one of the most common fruits that people will research when starting their gardening endeavors. Since berries are so common and a part of the same general family, it begs the question whether certain berries like blackberries and raspberries can be planted together or if they need their own space.
Blackberries and raspberries share enough similarities that they can be planted together without too much of a problem. They are able to be planted in the same environmental soil and require the same amount of sun and water.
Now, that does not mean that they can just be thrown in the same area without regards to anything else. Being able to be planted together does not make them the same plant and they will not grow exactly the same. Different types of blackberries and raspberries are available for planting and it is important to make sure the correct ones are paired together.
Blackberries
These berries always add a little extra to any home garden. Several different types of blackberries are out there such as caneberries, bush berries, and dewberries. When they are bright and shiny, that means that the berry is extremely tart and should not be harvested until they take on a duller color. This symbolizes that the proper sugars have formed to combat the tartness.
Blackberry plants can live for many years. They have two seasons called primocanes and floricanes. The primocane is the first season, which is when the blackberries originally start to grow. This is considered the vegetation stage, but the plant has not yet produced fruit. This production occurs during the second season known as floricane, but that growth dies back soon after.
The two types of blackberry growth are trailing and erect growth.
- Trailing
- Canes (vines or stems) that cannot support themselves and would need something strong enough to keep it upright so that the plant grows up and not down. This would require a trellis system.
- Erect
- As the name suggests, this is the type that has canes that hold themselves up enough that a trellis system is not required, but it is still recommended. These types of canes, while strong, are not completely self-supporting.
Blackberries prefer an environment that is on the cooler side. They are planted during the dormant season (December and January), but have cuttings that can be planted in the spring and summer.
Raspberries
Raspberries are more delicate berries and are best adapted for cool coastal climates. They survive best in moderate winters; therefore, if someone is located in an area that produces harsh winters like the northeast, north, and east, then any raspberries being grown need to be removed from the cold when it becomes extremely frigid. An alternative to removing the plant is to place a good thick layer of mulch around the base to protect the roots from the cold.
Let’s discuss the two different types of raspberries. The red raspberry is the more common type that is seen in stores. Black raspberries, also known as blackcaps, are another type, not to be confused with blackberries.
Raspberries are susceptible to virus diseases. Once they contract a disease, they cannot be cured, so it is best to just get rid of the plant completely and begin from scratch. Yes, this means waiting longer for the first harvest, but it is a necessary precaution. When planting raspberries, it is important to make sure that the soil for planting is healthy.
Raspberries have two stages: everbearing and standard.
- The everbearing stage refers to the fall-bearing primocane-fruiting.
- The standard stage is the summer-bearing floricane, which is more traditional for raspberries.
Raspberries are typically planted in rows and are trained to form a hedge. The term hedge refers to when plants that are closely planted together form a sort of barrier. A hedge must be maintained to produce the hedge-like shape.
Similarities
Blackberries and raspberries can be planted together in the form of brambles, which are trailing berries. Brambles are pointy, knotted shrubbery that are known for producing different types of fruit. They should be planted in an area that is guaranteed to get anywhere from 6 to 8 hours of sunlight.
The trellis system is popular with these fruits because they are able to support the canes (vines) to keep them off the ground. The lift that the berries get from the trellis system allows them to gain more sunlight, exposure, and air movement. The trellis system also provides an easier path for planting and, eventually, harvesting.
Both types of berries appreciate being planted in soil that is loam or sandy loam, which is a mixture of silt and clay. Berries like their space, so they should not be planted too closely together if they are going to be separate brambles and hedges. Tilling the soil is a step that should always be skipped because it is a waste of time, hard work and destroys the soil life. Remember: DO NOT DISTURB!
When home gardeners set out to grow berries, they usually turn to the mixing of blackberries and raspberries because they are the easiest to plant and maintain.
Planting by the Stream
An important theme mentioned in the bible is knowing where to plant a garden.
They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17:8
Knowing where to plant seeds (literally and figuratively) is instrumental in creating the perfect harvest. As long as the gardener plants it in the correct place, then the plant will do the rest of the work.
This is important when speaking of life, because if work and relationships are not “watered” properly then they will not grow and produce fruit. It is impossible to get something out of nothing. Also, it is not wise to over water the fruit because that will also cause it to drown and if people cannot breathe, then they cannot thrive.
The verse demonstrates how people need a little push in the right direction, but once it is pruned to better fit their needs, then and only then will they thrive.
Conclusion
Stemming from the berry family, blackberries and raspberries have a variety of different colors but can be planted together due to their need for their same kind of soil, environment, and care.
They can grow together on a bramble, which usually requires the assistance of the trellis system to give them the best chance they have at survival.
Blackberry and raspberry plants are particular when it comes to how much spacing they prefer, but once that method is understood, then it is just a matter of making sure the soil is fertile enough to benefit the growth of these berries. If the soil is handled incorrectly, then it becomes unusable and nothing will grow in it.
Check out our helpful article if you want to know how to see if your soil is healthy – How to Know if Your Soil is Healthy: 11 Simple Tests.
It does not cost much money or take much time and maintenance to keep these plants thriving. Paying attention to the time of year when it is best to plant and when it is best to harvest is key to growing and yielding the best fruits.
The Word of God is used in real-life situations to teach people how they should live their lives. It is important for a person to plant themselves in proper circumstances so that they can grow and produce fruit. One cannot overwater and overcrowd their lives or they will drown and collapse beneath the weight of it all. As you are gardening, take time to reflect on the care you are giving to your plants in the same way you care for yourself and others.
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