When to plant blackberries
Short answer
Plant blackberries about 2 weeks before your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Apr 1. It’s a perennial — expect your first real harvest in year 2–3. Enter your ZIP for your exact dates.
| Climate zone | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | Jan 1 | Year 2–3 |
| Zone 2 | — | Feb 1 | Year 2–3 |
| Zone 3 | — | Feb 24 | Year 2–3 |
| Zone 4 | — | Mar 16 | Year 2–3 |
| Zone 5 | — | Apr 1 | Year 2–3 |
| Zone 6 | — | Apr 16 | Year 2–3 |
| Zone 7 | — | May 1 | Year 2–3 |
| Zone 8 | — | May 18 | Year 2–3 |
Higher climate-zone numbers are colder, so planting shifts later. Blackberries is a hardy crop. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for your exact zone and dates.
Your exact dates
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Frequently asked questions
When should I plant blackberries?
Plant blackberries about 2 weeks before your last spring frost. In a warmer zone 4 that's around Mar 16; in a colder zone 6, Apr 16.
How is blackberries planted?
Blackberries is planted as a bare-root or potted plant, not started from seed indoors.
How long until blackberries produces?
Blackberries is a perennial. It establishes over a season or two, so expect your first real harvest in year 2–3 rather than the first year.