blackberry 'Bedford Giant'
blackberry
Producing an early crop of berries, this tough, vigorous and reliable cultivar is ideal for kick-starting the season. The large and succulent fruits have a great flavour, and if you have more than you need for the table, they will freeze really well.
How to care for blackberry Bedford Giant:
Bare-root plants should be planted out as soon as they arrive. If this is not possible, they can be heeled in temporarily (covering their roots with soil) or potted up.
Pot-grown plants can be planted at any time of year, provided the ground is not frozen or waterlogged, although autumn to spring is ideal. Water them well before and after planting, particularly if planting during drier weather.
Before planting, soak the rootball in a bucket of water for half an hour and make sure to incorporate lots of well-rotted garden compost in the planting hole. Remove all weeds and allow 3m (10ft) between each plant and 1.8m (6ft) between rows.
Once planted, shorten the canes to about 23cm (9in). Each spring, mulch well with well-rotted manure. Plants flower on one-year-old wood, so the new canes need to be separated from fruiting ones. After cropping, cut the fruiting canes down to the ground and tie in the new ones that have grown that year.
Pot-grown plants can be planted at any time of year, provided the ground is not frozen or waterlogged, although autumn to spring is ideal. Water them well before and after planting, particularly if planting during drier weather.
Before planting, soak the rootball in a bucket of water for half an hour and make sure to incorporate lots of well-rotted garden compost in the planting hole. Remove all weeds and allow 3m (10ft) between each plant and 1.8m (6ft) between rows.
Once planted, shorten the canes to about 23cm (9in). Each spring, mulch well with well-rotted manure. Plants flower on one-year-old wood, so the new canes need to be separated from fruiting ones. After cropping, cut the fruiting canes down to the ground and tie in the new ones that have grown that year.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
3m
Eventual spread:
3m
Position:
Full sun
Rate of growth:
Fast-growing
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
-
This plant is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.
