Selecting the best blackberry varieties to grow in northern Utah
Feb 2, 2024, 2:00 PM
When you’re making your selections, you will want to avoid the trailing blackberries because they are not hardy in northern Utah. (Canva)
(Canva)
SALT LAKE CITY – Berries are one the most popular types of fruits that people like to grow in Utah. That makes it a frequent topic of discussion on the KSL Greenhouse show. Last week, Taun and Maria gave some suggestions for the best blackberry varieties to grow in the northern Utah area.
The Illini Hardy is the most cold, hardy blackberry out there. Taun says it’s a great berry, but watch out for the thorns.
“Even wearing a long-sleeved shirt and some sort of gloves to pick them, you will be cut up,” he said.
There are several thornless varieties that are just as great. The three that Taun recommends are the Navaho, Chester, and Triple Crown.
“When we get down near zero or a little colder, a lot of the branches survive, and you can get a good crop the next year,” he said.
When you’re making your selections, you will want to avoid the trailing blackberries because they are not hardy in northern Utah. These are the varieties that are grown in the Pacific Northwest, such as loganberries, dewberries, and marionberries.
“Many of these are also thornless, but they are only hardy down to about 10 to 15 degrees. Only on the warmest areas of the Wasatch Front will they survive,” Taun said.
You can try growing them if you live in Moab or St. George, where it is warmer. Otherwise, focus your search on erect or semi-erect blackberry varieties.
The KSL Greenhouse is on every Saturday from 8 a.m.-11 a.m. You can follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and on our website.
