Blackberry : Arapaho Erect Thornless Blackberry

Extra-tasty! Bears as early as June 3.

Earliest Thornless Blackberry in existence. Ripens June 3 in zone 7. An important characteristic is its small seed size. A new release from the University of Arkansas. Does not need a trellis. Arapaho is very productive and is resistant to both Double Blossom and Rust. No other variety offers this many positive characteristics. It also produces sucker plants which allow it to quickly establish a solid hedge row of plants. Plants are erect and self-supporting, very winter hardy with no disease problems following a fungicide program consisting of one application of liquid lime-sulfur at budbreak. The berries are large and very firm, excellent flavor. Arapaho will provide a long harvest season of Thornless Blackberries. Furnish ample moisture during the growing period and cultivate frequently. After the first fruiting season, prune to the ground to allow room for new canes. Additional pruning should be done each spring to keep plants from becoming tangled and to improve their ability to bear. Successful growing depends on pruning the plant to 5-6 canes, along with training new canes to stand erect.

Rosaceae Rubus fruticosus

This is an example of the timeline you would see based on your growing conditions.

Blackberry: Blackberries

Arapaho Erect Thornless Blackberry

Blackberries are not true berries. Instead, it is botanically termed an aggregate fruit, meaning it is composed of small druplets. The plants have biennial canes and perennial roots, meaning the canes only bear fruit on two year old growth. Unmanaged mature plants form a tangle of dense arching stems, called a bramble. It is highly recommended that gardeners wishing to grow blackberries use a trellis system to keep their blackberry plants in control.

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Basics

Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Perennial
Growing Habit: Vine
Hardiness: Hardy

Plants are pretty hardy and can grow as far north as Alaska. Since they flower late, their flowers aren't damaged by late frost, either.
Crops: Spring Transplant, Fall Transplant
Growing Season: Short, Long
Cultivar Type: Mid-Season
Growing Conditions: Cold, Cool, Warm, Hot

They grow in every state in the United States so they're fairly adaptable. Cane berries are versatile and hardy in the coldest climates where other fruits fail.
Outdoor Growing Temp: 45°F - 85°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 35°F

In mild climates Blackberry plants can be planted any time they are dormant from late autumn to early spring. In colder climates they are usually planted in spring. Of course the soil should not be frozen, so the temperature should be above 32˚ F.
Start Indoors: No
Start Outdoors: No
Light: Part shade (Cold, Cool, Warm, Hot)

Blackberries will tolerate some shade, though they won't be as productive as when growing in full sun

Sun: min. 6 hours daily (Cold, Cool, Warm, Hot)

Blackberries are most productive when growing in full sun.
Water: Moderate

Blackberries are naturally quite drought tolerant (I have been amazed at their ability to survive months without water), but won't produce much fruit if they aren't given plenty of water during their budding and growth period. Lack of moisture when fruiting will result in smaller fruit that may not ripen properly. Water is also important after fruiting for the production of replacement shoots. Give the plants at least 1” of water per week or more if necessary.
Feeder: Heavy

Blackberries are very productive plants and do best in fertile soil. They can occupy the same soil for 15 years, so the ground should be amended heavily before planting.
Suitability: Drought tolerant, Tolerates light frost, Tolerates hard frost, Partial shade, Needs lots of space
Small Gardens?: No
Containers?: No
Attracts beneficial insects?: Yes
Color: Black
Fruit Size: 0.5 - 1.5"
Plant Height: 96.0 - 120.0"
Plant Diameter: - "
Hardiness Zone: 5-11
Disease Resistance: -
Taste Profile: Honey flavor.
Rotation Group: Perennial

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Plant Guide

Blackberry : Arapaho Erect Thornless Blackberry

Extra-tasty! Bears as early as June 3.

Arapaho Erect Thornless Blackberry

Basics