What's Growing in the Garden

[djg]

That used to be my thought with black raspberries also. The best ones were always in full shade on the backside of the rows.

All that changed when I planted a new patch last year. They were planted in full sun and similar to yours, get that after about 9:00 a.m.

The size and production is great on the full sun patch. However, I've also kept them weeded, fertilized and watered along with bark mulch to help with water and weeds.

My theory of what was happening with my b raspberries and your blackberries is that even with watering and fertilizer, the weeds were taking enough out of the soil that the berries were stressed. The plants were probably not getting enough water or nutrients for a good crop. Those in the full sun were drying out and small berries resulted. On the shady side, the stress is alleviated to a degree by the shade and the berries were bigger. I see the same thing with the wild berries.

All the wild ones have an incredible amount of competition from other plants, but in the shade the berries are always bigger.

I think if you can get the weeds cleaned up and some mulch around the plants to help retain water and prevent weeds, you will start seeing an incredible crop of berries.

There are studies that show that even 4-6" tall weeds can reduce yields in many crops that are much taller. Getting weeds under control early is important.

Having said all that, I know the reality of the situation, and that is why I went with a thick layer of bark mulch to help. Otherwise, there just aren't enough hours in a day, and you can only do so much.

That sounds reasonable and fits with what I've observed. When I bought the property to build on I had a 3'-4' wide row 150' long running N-S of wild blackberries running along the edge of the woods. I use to get 6-10 gallons off them. The the weeds and saplings took over and now most vines are gone and only produce small berries not worth picking.

I've decided to mow all of them down this Summer and start over. I'll let a 1'-2' wide row regrow and transplant any I can into the row. Keep the row clean and mulched like I do my raspberries. The rest, I'll keep mowed and sprayed. In two years I should start getting a harvest.

"Having said all that, I know the reality of the situation, and that is why I went with a thick layer of bark mulch to help. Otherwise, there just aren't enough hours in a day, and you can only do so much."

A thick layer of mulch can retard weed growth?? I thought it only was for water retention? I can get new or 5+ year old wood chips. Does it matter which one?? I've been using the latter to hopefully reduce any Nitrogen loss.