Lawton Blackberry Planting Instructions

Just Arrived? How to Plant Your Lawton Blackberry

When your fruit bushes arrive, getting them into the ground correctly is the first step toward a lifetime of harvests. Follow these steps for the best results:

1. Preparation

If you can’t plant immediately, keep the roots moist and the plant in a cool, shaded area. Before planting, soak the roots in a bucket of water for 1–2 hours to rehydrate them.

2. Choose Your Spot

Select a location with full sun (at least 6–8 hours a day). Ensure the soil is well-draining; blackberries do not like “wet feet.” If your soil is heavy clay, consider planting in a raised mound to improve drainage.

3. Digging the Hole

Dig a hole twice as wide as the root system and just as deep. Space your Lawton plants about 4–6 feet apart to allow for their vigorous trailing habit.

4. Planting

  • Place the plant in the hole at the same depth it was growing in the nursery (look for the soil line on the stem).

  • Spread the roots out gently.

  • Fill the hole with native soil mixed with a little compost, tamping down lightly to remove air pockets.

5. Initial Care

  • Watering: Water deeply immediately after planting. Keep the soil consistently moist (but not soggy) during the first growing season while the root system establishes.

  • Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch (like wood chips or straw) around the base. This suppresses weeds and keeps the roots cool and moist.

  • Support: Install your trellis or wire support system shortly after planting so you can train the vigorous canes as they grow.

Description

Please Note: The plants will be removed from their pot for shipping with excess dirt removed. I will get updated pictures added just as soon as possible. (12/30/25)

The Lawton Blackberry isn’t just a plant; it’s a piece of horticultural history. As the first blackberry to be widely grown in the United States, it’s famous for being a “workhorse” in the garden, providing dependable, heavy yields year after year.

Success in Your Garden: To get the most out of your Lawtonberry, plant it in a sunny spot with fertile soil. Because these canes are vigorous and “thorny,” we recommend trellising them. This keeps the fruit off the ground, improves airflow, and makes picking those delicious 20mm berries much easier on your hands!

Growth & Harvest Details

  • USDA Zones: 5 – 9 (Highly adaptable to both cool and warm climates).

  • Growth Habit: A vigorous, thorny floricane-bearer. This means the plant grows new green canes the first year, and those canes produce fruit in their second year.

  • Harvest Window: Early to mid-summer (June through July). For the sweetest flavor, wait until the berries lose their high-gloss shine and turn a deep, dull black.

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