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Copenhagen Cottage,Tye Lane,Bramford,Suffolk.IP8 4NP.Tel:01473 463765 / 07974 937412
Email:gandcinfo@btinternet.com  website:www.gardenandchicken.co.uk
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Rubus fruticosus.  The  bramble family are greedy feeders and love rich, moist soils.  Mulching and top dressing with compost will improve yields. They will crop in shade but  the fruit will be sweeter when in the sun. Plant with 1.5/2m (5/7ft ) between plants. Training of the plants to keep them under control is very important if you do not want a ‘take-overbid’ . The training structure needs to be well constructed .The plants have a good wildlife and ornamental value.  The vast quantities of flowers produced in early summer are good for bees and other insects and the fruit  whilst good for us being high in Vitamin C and antioxidents is also good for wildlife feasts before the winter months . The bushes themselves make a safe dry home for ladybirds, beetles other insects, birds and small mammals.
Maintenance:  Spring - weed ,mulch and feed with a seaweed feed:Summer: Tie in new growth Autumn: Pick fruit &  propagate by layering tips .Winter: Prune old fruited wood and add a good layer of mulch to rooting zone.
Pruning - although the bush will fruit on 1 year, 2 year and older wood  young wood is  more pest and disease resistant and bearers better crops  so cut away all old wood yearly.
Pest & Disease - Blackberries suffer from very few problems.  You may want to protect your crop but this is usually large so you may consider sharing it with the birds!
Harvesting - pick as the fruit turns black from late summer until the first frosts. Use fresh in pies, crumble, jams,jellies or freeze . Traditionally once there has been a frost  they are not picked as the fruit sours - folklore has it that the Devil has  then spat on the fruit.

Varieties: Blackberry Loch Tay ; Blackberry Loch Ness;

Blackberry Black Bute;  Native Blackberry.