Forum home› Talkback
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Talkback: Loch Ness blackberries

Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
in Talkback
Whilst I don't have any in my garden, I am surrounded by country hedgerows which are full of juicy blackberries (or brambles as we know them in Scotland). However, other visitors and tourists to my rural haven are also aware of this wonderful crop and always come armed with bowls and bags to pick this crop! My only gripe is will they leave me enough for my Apple and Blackberry Crumble!!
«13

Posts

  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Funny but the blackberry that I bought from Crocus said it was a semi evergreen bush but from the sound of it is the same as yours. It madly trails down the fence and is a least 15 foot long with loads of fabulous tasty fruits especially this year. I tend to pick them and put them straight into the freezer unless I am going to eat them straight away.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Brambles do have a superb flavour, don't they Margaret. However, do find space for a thornless blackberry like 'Loch Ness' if you can. It's such a pleasure to pick the fruits without getting scratched, and the individual fruits are far bigger.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    We went to collect blackberries from our favorite spot yesterday, only to find that the fruits were all brown and shrivelled. I have never seen this before. There was no evidence of weedkiller having been sprayed. Has anyone else come across this phenomenon?
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    do u have to cut these blackberrys back in october?
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Yes, Gary. Cut down all the canes that carried fruit this year now. This creates space to tie in the new canes produced during this year, spacing them out over the support. These will flower and fruit next year.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Me and my neighbour have only just got an allotment and we are planning on growing raspberries and blackberries any suggestions on which are best to buy and grow? Any tips welcome.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Kelly, It depends on what you are wanting. My favorites are the Lock Ness blackberry and the Triple Crown Blackberry. These are semi-trailing but will give you loads of Blackberries. They both grow fast, have very large and ecxellent berries. I do not know of any raspberries that will produce like these two blackberries. My triple crowns last year averaged 31 pounds of blackberries per plant. Loch ness 26 pounds. They are 4 year plants.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    I've had a Loch Ness for 3-4 years and last year was the only time we've had more than about half a dozen fruit (no, the birds haven't had them)and there are no new canes at all for this year. Any suggestions before I just dig it up and throw it away?
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    I have a good crop of blackberries every year,however,this year many of the ripe berries have shriveled patches on them.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    I have 2 Blackberry bushes in my garden one thornless and the other with thorns. What can I do to aid growth? These were in the garden when I moved here so I dont know how old they are. They both seem to have plenty of fruit on them.



    I also have an old apple tree in the garden the fruits are small and keep falling off how can I prune it to improve the fruit?

Sign In or Register to comment.