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Growing Navaho thornless blackberries is a rewarding way to enjoy sweet, homegrown fruit without the nuisance of sharp thorns.
This variety is a erect, thornless blackberry that produces plump, juicy berries perfect for fresh eating, jams, and pies.
If you’ve been wondering how to grow Navaho thornless blackberry successfully, you’re in the right place.
It’s easier than you might think, and the payoff is a generous harvest season after season.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to grow Navaho thornless blackberry, from choosing the right spot to caring for your plants year after year.
Let’s dig in.
How to Grow Navaho Thornless Blackberry: The Basics
Learning how to grow Navaho thornless blackberry starts with understanding what this plant loves.
The Navaho thornless blackberry is a self-fertile, erect variety, which means it doesn’t need a trellis or a pollinator to produce fruit.
That said, giving it the right conditions will help you grow Navaho thornless blackberry plants that thrive instead of just survive.
1. Sunlight Requirements
To grow Navaho thornless blackberry plants well, you need to give them full sun.
Aim for at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day.
More sun means more energy for fruit production, sweeter berries, and stronger canes.
If you plant Navaho thornless blackberry in partial shade, you’ll get fewer berries and they may not ripen as well.
2. Soil and Drainage
When you grow Navaho thornless blackberry, well-draining soil is non-negotiable.
Blackberries hate soggy roots, so avoid spots where water pools after rain.
The ideal soil is loamy, slightly acidic, and rich in organic matter.
Mix in compost before planting to give your Navaho thornless blackberry a strong start.
3. Spacing and Planting Depth
If you want to grow Navaho thornless blackberry effectively, plant your canes about three to four feet apart.
This gives each plant room to spread its roots and lets air circulate, which helps prevent disease.
Dig a hole wide enough to fit the roots comfortably and plant at the same depth the cane was growing in the nursery.
Water deeply after planting to settle the soil around the roots.
How to Grow Navaho Thornless Blackberry: Care and Maintenance
Once your plants are in the ground, how to grow Navaho thornless blackberry becomes about routine care.
The good news is that this variety is relatively low-maintenance compared to other brambles.
1. Watering Wisely
Give your Navaho thornless blackberry about one to two inches of water per week.
During hot, dry spells, you may need to water more often.
Drip irrigation is ideal because it keeps the foliage dry and reduces the risk of fungal issues.
Just don’t let the soil dry out completely while the plants are establishing.
2. Fertilizing for Fruit
To grow Navaho thornless blackberry that produces abundantly, feed it in early spring.
Use a balanced fertilizer or one formulated for berries.
Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen, as this encourages leafy growth at the expense of fruit.
A light mulch of compost around the base each spring also helps.
3. Pruning and Training
Pruning is key when you grow Navaho thornless blackberry, even though it’s thornless.
This variety produces fruit on second-year canes, so after harvest, cut back the canes that fruited.
Leave the new canes to grow and fruit the following season.
Since Navaho is semi-erect, many growers still use a simple trellis or wire system to keep canes tidy and make harvesting easier.
4. Pest and Disease Watch
When you grow Navaho thornless blackberry, keep an eye out for common issues like aphids, spider mites, and cane borers.
Good airflow and proper spacing go a long way in preventing problems.
If you spot diseased canes, remove them promptly to keep the rest of the plant healthy.
Harvesting Your Navaho Thornless Blackberry
Knowing when to pick is part of how to grow Navaho thornless blackberry successfully.
Berries are ready when they turn deep black and pull easily from the cane.
If you have to tug hard, they’re not ripe yet, so give them another day or two.
Pick in the cool of the morning for the best flavor and firmness.
Navaho thornless blackberry typically ripens in mid to late summer, and you can expect a harvest over several weeks.
So, How to Grow Navaho Thornless Blackberry?
To grow Navaho thornless blackberry, give it full sun, well-draining soil, consistent water, and a little pruning each year.
It’s a low-maintenance, thornless variety that rewards you with sweet, abundant berries.
Whether you’re new to growing berries or a seasoned gardener, how to grow Navaho thornless blackberry is a skill worth mastering.
Plant a few canes this season and enjoy the fruits of your labor for years to come.