How to Plant, Care, and Prune Arapaho Blackberry Bushes Blackberries are often considered one of the easiest fruits to grow at home. They are a native species to the United States and grow as a small shrub or trailing vine. The fruit from this plant can be used for table fruit, syrup, jams, and jelly.  Proper care starts when you select a proper plant, and what you do in its first few years of life will affect its shape, strength, and even its life span. This guide will take you step by step, from selecting and planting the right fruit trees, bushes, and vines for your backyard garden or orchard, all the way to upkeep of your mature tree. Choosing a Site Light: Full Sun Soil: Prefer acidic to slightly basic (6.0-7.0), well-drained, organic soil. However, they adapt to most soil types except alkaline and wet. If you have clay soil, you will need to amend with organic matter. To increase the soil’s organic content, amend with organic mulch-wet peat moss, well-aged sawdust, straw or leaf litter. Pollination: Blackberries are self pollinating. Hardiness Zone: 4-9 Minimum Chill Hours Needed: 400-500 Where to Plant: Blackberries tend to form thickets and are … Continue reading Caring for Fruit Trees and Bushes: Blackberry