The boysenberry is a descendant of the raspberry family.If you let them, they will spread a lot.A key factor of successful boysenberry growth is giving them a trellis to cling to at the end of the year.Plants can be ordered online or from your local plant nursery.
Step 1: In full sunshine, choose a growing location.
Make sure your berries get lots of sun to get the best growth and flavor.As long as they get a lot of sun, it is okay if they are in shade for part of the day.Plants boysenberries somewhere else if your garden is partially shaded.Plants can be supported by planting against a fence or house, but make sure they get enough sun.If you don't know where to plant, watch your yard throughout the day to see where the best sunlight is.
Step 2: Make sure the soil is well-drained.
Boysenberries will not grow in soil that has too much water.When you get a lot of rain, it's a good idea to put a drain in your yard.Don't plant near water.Plants' roots will rot if the soil stays wet.
Step 3: The soil needs to be turned over.
Before planting for the first time, make sure the soil is good.Turn the soil over to about one foot deep with a power-tiller or a hand tool.To loosen the soil, you may need to water it.It may take a few hours to till the area.If you are planting somewhere that has never been planted, tilling is even more important.You don't need to till as much if you've planted before.Boysenberries grow well in sandy soil.They are resistant to both dry and moist soil.
Step 4: A trellis system can be built.
Boysenberries grow best with something to cling to.At each end of the row of boysenberry plants, place a pole in the ground.The poles should be three feet above the ground.There are two pieces of wire between the poles.Attach one piece of wire to the poles at three feet and the other at one and a half feet.
Step 5: Adapt the setup based on space and materials.
There is a section of chain-link fence.If you don't have a fence around your yard, you can plant plants near a wall or shed to cling to it.A fence can be used to tie up plants, but a wall can't.The main goal is for the boysenberries to be tied to something.They will produce less fruit if they don't do that.You can put a ladder, an old kitchen chair, or a broom handle in the ground.As the plants grow, tie them to these.
Step 6: At the end of winter or the beginning of spring is when to plant.
The best time to transplant boysenberries is before the winter season starts.When the ground thaws after the last freeze of the season, check the soil.If it stays cold for a while after you plant them, they can handle it.Plants grow to full size during the summer.
Step 7: One foot deep by three foot wide holes is how deep to dig.
If you want to use this as a guide, use the starting size of the plants.The container they start in should be planted as deep as possible.It is better to start with a larger hole than a smaller one.
Step 8: Well-rotted compost can be added to the hole.
The brown material should be placed at the bottom of the hole.As the plant takes root in the soil, this helps give it a boost.You can buy compost at a garden store.It won't hurt to add a big shovelful.Once you bury the plant, mix some compost into the soil.
Step 9: Plants can be placed into each hole.
Place the plant into the hole once the area is ready.Pack dirt around the roots.When the plant is buried in the ground, place a small layer of compost or manure around the base.
Step 10: Space boysenberry plants three to five feet apart.
As you let them grow, they keep growing.It is important that they spread a minimum of three feet before touching another plant.If you have a room, plan them five feet apart.You may want to only plant one or two plants if you don't have a lot of room.If you want your plants to have room to grow, place them in more than one space in your yard.Plants can be grown in containers if you have limited space.Keep in mind that container-grown plants will need heavy Pruning in order to keep them small.
Step 11: Water plants are at least once a week.
Pay attention to the weather in your area.You won't need to do much watering if it rains at least once a week.You will need to water more often if it is very hot.You don't have to wonder if the soil is wet enough with a soil moisture meter.Don't let the soil dry out.You can get a soil moisture meter from your local garden store.You don't have to guess if the soil is moist.
Step 12: Attach the main cane to the wire.
Boysenberries are considered brambles because they spread and expand.Once the plants grow tall, tie them to the wires.The plants cling to the wire.Tie the plants up with twine or thin string.First, tie them at the one and a half foot high wire, then the three foot wire.The plants should be tied at the same heights if you used wire mesh.If you planted along a fence or wall, you can use this tying method to cling to the surface.
Step 13: It's best to wait a year for the plant to produce fruit.
Boysenberry plants need to grow for a full year before they produce fruit.You will have a full harvest of fruit after you plant if you care for the plants throughout the year.
Step 14: Pick fruit in the morning
Pick the fruit from the plant early in the morning.The best time to harvest the berries is in the morning.They don't stay fresh for long so eat, freeze, or cook them quickly.
Step 15: At the end of the season.
If you let the boysenberry plants grow, they will grow out of control.When a cane produces fruit, it won't produce again during the growing season.Take the old canes down to the ground.Cut the canes that produced the fruit.Cut any withered canes.Compost non-diseased canes.
Step 16: Don't wait to harvest boysenberries to discourage birds.
Birds love fruit.As soon as the berries are ripe, harvest them.Bird nets should be installed over the plants if birds still manage to get to the ripe berries.When the berries are ready to be harvest, bird nets are most effective.
Step 17: Your boysenberries should be kept dry.
If the foliage is regularly damp, boysenberry plants can become colonized with mold.The base of the plant is more important than the leaves when watering.Pruning can help improve air circulation and keep leaves dry.
Step 18: The canes should be removed and destroyed.
Pruning canes and branches if your boysenberry plant shows signs of disease is recommended.The canes should be thrown away or burned to stop the spread of the disease.
Step 19: An anti-fungal spray can be used to treat infections.
If your boysenberries are affected by mold, you should use an anti-fungal spray.Most types of infections can be treated with copper-based fungicides.Benomyl or iprodione is used for fruit rots.It's a good idea to thoroughly wash the berries from a plant that has been treated.Water can be used with a fruit and veggie wash.