{"product_id":"kiowa-blackberry","title":"Kiowa Blackberry Bush","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\tLargest Blackberry Fruit You’ll Find\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Kiowa Blackberry is not just a \u003cem\u003ereally\u003c\/em\u003e big berry, it’s considered the \u003cstrong\u003eworld’s largest\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eblackberry fruit\u003c\/strong\u003e! Measuring up to 3-inches long, a mere 10 of these giants can top-off a half-pint container. Their sheer size alone can cut your harvest and production time in half!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLong Harvest Season Means More Berries\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eA robust grower, one plant \u003cstrong\u003eyields about 8 to 10 pounds\u003c\/strong\u003e of ripe-from-the-vine-fruit each year. And with a harvest season that’s about six weeks long, it easily surpasses many of its blackberry counterparts. As early as May, berries begin to plump and ripen. By mid-June, you’re on your way to afternoons porch-side with a fresh-picked bowl of fruit nestled in your lap.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnjoy Summer Greatness All Year\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eUnlike some fruit, these blackberries \u003cstrong\u003ecan be frozen\u003c\/strong\u003e and enjoyed in the winter months.  They’re a delicious and nutritious addition to smoothies and yogurt.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOf course, during the summer months, your fresh Kiowa berries are packed with a \u003cstrong\u003esweet sugary tartness\u003c\/strong\u003e that’s ideal for cobblers, salads, even juices and wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDuring harvest season, storing the fruit properly is key to getting the most out of your crop. Blackberries can be delicate, so refrigerate any fruit that doesn’t get eaten the same day. The Kiowa are \u003cstrong\u003efirm \u003c\/strong\u003emaking them \u003cstrong\u003erelatively robust\u003c\/strong\u003e; however, they still fair best stored in a single layer, loosely covered.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYou’ll KNOW When These Berries are Ready for Pickin’\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eGrowing your own berries is all about enjoying fresh fruit at the peak of ripeness. To maximize flavor, don’t pick them too early.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlackberries ripen on the vine\u003c\/strong\u003e, so wait until they’ve turned all the way to blackish purple before making your move! During the harvest season, you’ll want to \u003cstrong\u003epick berries every 2-3 days.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEasy to Grow \u0026amp; Maintain\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThese plants \u003cstrong\u003erequire little\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ewinter chilling, only about 200 hours,\u003c\/strong\u003e and flourish in a wide range of climates (zones 6-9). Look for a \u003cstrong\u003esunny spot\u003c\/strong\u003e to plant your bushes, and expect to \u003cstrong\u003ereap the rewards quickly\u003c\/strong\u003e. Although they can be trained to grow on a trellis, they don’t need the additional support that many blackberry species do. The Kiowa is an erect-cane species, meaning it \u003cstrong\u003estands up on its own\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs a \u003cstrong\u003eself-pollinator\u003c\/strong\u003e, you can get started with just one plant making them a great option for small spaces or those wanting a container plant. However, if you have some elbowroom, a hedgerow is the best way to manage this thorny variety.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eStrategically positioned, they are a tasty natural barrier for any unwanted traffic patterns across your garden or yard.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Kiowa berry bush is \u003cstrong\u003elow maintenance\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eresistant to disease\u003c\/strong\u003e. As an upright, trimming the new shoots a few times each growing season and cutting back the producing canes after the season ends goes a long way in keeping berries within easy reach when it's time to start picking.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eReady for a large harvest of big, juicy berries this upcoming season?  Order your Kiowa Blackberry bush now and we’ll ship it right to your door.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003c!-- split --\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \u0026amp; Care\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLocation:\u003c\/strong\u003e The Kiowa blackberry grows best in USDA plant hardiness zones 6 to 9. It grows to a height of 5 feet and a width of 4 feet so plant the bush in an area that offers adequate growth room. When planting as a hedge, space the plants 3 to 4 feet apart.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePollination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Self-pollinating, the Kiowa blackberry requires no pollinator to produce its ample berry crop.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Instructions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Choose a planting site that offers full sun. The Kiowa blackberry grows best in sandy loam with a soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0. It cannot tolerate a soil pH above 8.0. Utilize sulfur to lower the acidity if overly acidic.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eDig a hole that is twice the size of the shrub’s root system and just as deep. Mix ample humus into the soil and around the planting hole if the soil is in need of amending. Place the shrub into the planting hole and spread out its roots across the soil’s surface. Backfill the hole with the soil mixture. Press the soil down firmly around the shrub’s roots to remove any air pockets.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eApply a three-inch layer of mulch beneath the shrub to keep the soil moist and discourage unwanted weed growth.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eAfter planting, water the Kiowa blackberry thoroughly to remove any air pockets in the soil and encourage root growth.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e The Kiowa blackberry must have regular irrigation to produce a crop of blackberries. It does not tolerate drought well. Begin irrigation in March and continue watering the shrub regularly through September. Keep the soil around the plant moist but not overly wet. During excessive heat or drought you may need to water 3+ times a week.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFertilizer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fertilize the Kiowa blackberry with complete fertilizer such as 10-10-10 in the spring and again after berry harvest is complete. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer's label for application ratios.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning:\u003c\/strong\u003e After berry production, prune the canes that produced berries down to the ground. The Kiowa blackberry shrub only produces berries on two year old canes. Once the cane bears berries, it should be pruned away.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDisease and Pest Resistance:\u003c\/strong\u003e The Kiowa blackberry is highly disease and pest resistant.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Fast Growing Trees","offers":[{"title":"1 Quart","offer_id":35585069711509,"sku":"BLA-KIO1QT","price":19.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 Gallon","offer_id":35585069744277,"sku":"BLA-KIO1","price":34.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0452\/4628\/3925\/products\/Kiowa-Blackberry_350.png?v=1596742101","url":"https:\/\/eightvape2b-com.myshopify.com\/products\/kiowa-blackberry","provider":"eightvape2b.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}