Preparing blackberries for winter in autumn

Cultivated blackberries are a rare guest in the gardens of our compatriots, their weak winter hardiness and demanding care scare away summer residents. However, those of them who nevertheless decided to cultivate this plant must necessarily master all the rules of preparation for the winter period. Today we'll talk about how to properly care for your crop in the fall months.

The start time for the winter preparation of blackberries directly depends on the characteristics of the region where they are grown. So, in the territory of central Russia, in the Moscow region and the Volga region, the average air temperature in the winter months is kept at the level of -10-15 degrees. However, several times a season it drops sharply to the level of -25 degrees. Such frosts have a negative effect on blackberry bushes, since even cold-resistant varieties can withstand frosts only up to -20 gr., And medium-frost-resistant ones - only up to -17 gr. That is why the blackberries need to be carefully covered, these works are carried out from mid-November until the beginning of severe cold weather.

For Siberian regions, the timing of preparing garden blackberries for cold weather is similar to those in the Urals. In this area, the shelter is carried out in the second half of October or the first decade of November, when the average daily air temperature drops to -5-7 degrees.

Autumn preparation of fruit and berry bushes for frost is extremely important. Only in this case the bushes will be able to withstand the cold period without harm to their health. The activities that gardeners should do are standard: pruning, treatment from infections and the actions of insect pests, as well as the introduction of useful dressings.

A competently and timely performed autumn pruning lays a powerful foundation for the formation of a healthy plant.

Prevents shading of berries. Overgrown branches and shoots prevent sufficient sunlight from reaching the fruit. As a result, the berries inside the bush are shaded, and this slows down the process of ripening.

Stimulates the intensive growth of young shoots, improves the flowering of the shrub in spring.

Makes the bush compact. If you do not cut off the extra branches, then the blackberry will begin to grow rapidly, and it will be quite problematic to completely cover it for the winter.

Work must begin immediately after the end of the fruiting stage and be completed no later than a month before the first frost. The work schedule largely depends on the characteristics of the region where the blackberry is grown. But on average, these dates correspond to the last decade of August - the end of October.

Particular attention should be paid to sanitary pruning in the fall. It involves the removal of all broken, deformed, as well as damaged and dried shoots. They must be cut into a ring so as not to leave the slightest stumps.

The bush is pruned in the sequence listed below.

• First, the shoots that have already fruited are cut off. It is very simple to distinguish them from annuals: they have a brownish or brown tint, the color of young ones is usually light brown or green.In addition, stalks and inflorescences are sure to remain on last year's branches. When processing remontant blackberries, all shoots should be cut off at the root.
• Next, proceed to thinning the remaining branches. Too short shoots that have not grown over the summer months, as well as those growing in the center, should be removed. In total, 5-8 of the most powerful stems should remain. In regions with severe winters, there may be more of them, then you will have to get rid of all the excess in the spring.
• The branches in the central part of the bush are carefully pinched 2 m from the ground. Then the lateral shoots are shortened, leaving a length of 60 cm.If these manipulations are not performed, then it will be difficult to collect fruits from the bushes in summer, especially if they grow fanningly.
• At the final stage, all infected shoots are removed. Be sure to inspect the bush for spider mites, aphids, or other insects. Such branches should be removed and burned, otherwise garden pests will move to healthy stems. A diseased shrub will not survive the winter.

In addition, it increases winter hardiness, creates protection against the action of insects and significantly increases the yield in the following season.

In autumn days, fruit crops require feeding. At this moment, the plant responds gratefully to the introduction of mineral and organic fertilizers, they allow to prepare the culture for the cold weather. As a useful feeding, you can use:

• superphosphate - 40-50 g / sq. m .;
• potassium sulfate - 20-25 g / sq. m .;
• potassium magnesium - 25-30 gr. under each bush.

Besides, for the winter, blackberries can be fertilized with chicken droppings, compost, manure and peat. A good effect is given by the introduction of complex mineral compositions, covered with manure or humus on top so that the layer thickness is 2-4 cm. 4-5 kg ​​should fall on a square meter of the planting area. fertilizers. When mulching with peat, the layer thickness should be 10-15 cm. Such treatment significantly improves the structure and nutritional characteristics of the soil and creates effective protection of the root system from frost.

To increase the fertility of blackberries, experienced gardeners usually alternate pre-winter dressings: one year they use mineral compositions, the second year - organic. The use of compositions based on potassium and phosphorus in the fall has the most favorable effect on the ripening time of the shoots. As a result, the course of natural preparation for wintering is accelerated and the frost resistance of the plant increases.

For the prevention of viral and fungal infections, blackberries in the fall must be treated with a solution of 1% Bordeaux liquid. It is evenly distributed over the stems and the area of ​​the periosteal circle. If in the spring-summer period the plant was affected by fungal infections or insects, more radical measures will be required. After planting, the plantation is treated with strong fungicides. These manipulations are carried out only after picking berries and removing all damaged areas.

Growing garden blackberries in open ground requires its mandatory winter shelter. The reference point for starting work is the average daily temperature. Preparations for wintering should begin at a time when the daytime temperature is kept at around 0 degrees, and the night temperature drops to -5 degrees. It is not worth covering the blackberries earlier, in this case, a greenhouse effect will be created under the layer of heat-insulating material.

The issue of choosing a covering material is relevant. Each of them must meet the following criteria.

• Strength - the cover structure must be able to withstand the weight load of snow, gusts of wind and contact with pets.
• Reduced thermal conductivity - it is important that the material protects the blackberry from severe cold weather in frosts and warm air on sunny days.
• Environmental friendliness - the raw materials used for the shelter should not emit toxins hazardous to the plant.
• Vapor permeability - it is necessary to insulate the culture with such a material that will remove moisture from the inside and at the same time prevent its penetration from the outside.

The most popular materials are listed below.

• Polyethylene - a dense and at the same time cheap coating, which with careful handling can be used for several seasons. Its only drawback is its absolute airtightness. As a result, high humidity forms under the film, which leads to the death of the shrub.
• Roofing material and linoleum - durable, waterproof materials. However, in severe frosts, they become brittle and hard.
• Tarpaulin - a sturdy canvas used to create awnings, tents and awnings. Minus one - with prolonged contact with water, the fabric begins to rot and quickly turns into dust.
• Felt - insulation with high insulating characteristics. However, wool absorbs water and immediately loses all its protective properties.
• Spunbond - woven polypropylene fabric. Differs in resistance to ultraviolet light, humidity and low temperatures. Does not allow moisture to pass through and at the same time removes excess water from under the shelter. Due to its transparency, it allows the sun's rays to freely penetrate to the substrate and destroy pathogenic microflora.
• Geotextile Is a fabric based on polymer fibers with high vapor permeability and thermal insulation qualities. Does not rot, can last up to 10 years.

To insulate blackberries, some summer residents use improvised means.

• Earth - it can be found in abundance in any area, and it is not difficult to sketch it on the stems. The downside is that the soil absorbs moisture, turns into dirt and begins to drain from the shoots.
• Snow - good heat insulator. The disadvantage is that the sun's rays melt the snow, and with a sharp cold snap turns into ice. This creates a favorable environment for the development of fungal and bacterial infections.
• Tops - plant residues have low thermal conductivity and the ability to absorb all excess water. The only problem is that the tops attract pests, which can damage the blackberry shoots with them.
• Hay - the material copes well with the function of insulation, but rodents often live in it.
• Foliage of garden trees - this material holds back both cold and heat well. And its collection and storage is not difficult. However, small insects and fungal infections are very common in foliage, which can move to blackberries.

To cover a climbing blackberry, the sequence of actions should be as follows:

• the formation of a spacer between the shoots and the ground: mats or dense shields;
• thermal insulation layer: straw, grain husks, cardboard or spruce branches;
• blackberry bush with associated shoots;
• second insulation layer;
• outer cover made of film or fabric.

With upright bushes, a different approach is used, since bending them can result in breakage. In this case, one of the following solutions is used to protect against frost.

• Wrapping - here you should select the lightest materials, under the load of which the barrel will not break. First of all, a heat-insulating material is wound, and from above it is covered with a waterproof film. In such a shelter, it is necessary to provide for small slots for ventilation.
• Frame fabrication - such designs can be individual or common for a whole bed of blackberries. The shelter can be called an analogue of a greenhouse; its frame is formed from a wooden bar impregnated with linseed oil or galvanized steel profiles. As a heater, you can use mineral wool, foam or synthetic fabrics.

And in conclusion, we will give a few recommendations. They will help you understand all the intricacies of preparing garden blackberries for the winter.

• During prolonged thaws, which, depending on the climatic characteristics of the region, fall on February - March, it is necessary to organize the airing of the blackberry bush. If this is not done, the shoots will begin to flutter.
• When choosing agrofibre, it is better to opt for white fabric. In the rays of the March sun, it will not overheat too much.
• In order to prevent the formation of a layer of infusion on the snow cover during periodic cold snaps and warming, crossed stakes should be driven in near the blackberry bush.

By following these simple rules, you can create the best wintering conditions for your garden blackberry.