Blackberries need full sun. They should receive a minimum of 6 hours of direct sun each day, but more is better. For the best possible harvest, aim for 8 hours of full, direct sunlight on a daily basis. Although they will tolerate a bit of light shade here and there, blackberries will not flourish to their fullest potential if they are never exposed to full sun. Blackberries will flower well, grow bigger, and produce a better harvest when planted in full sunlight.
How Many Hours of Sun Do Blackberries Need?
Blackberries need a full day of sun. Aim for 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight throughout the growing season. Blackberries have the distinction of being able to thrive in warm or cool climates, but rarely do these bushes grow to their fullest potential if sun-deprived.
- Blackberries need a minimum of 6 hours of full sun daily.
- 8 hours of full sun is ideal for a healthy blackberry plant.
- Blackberries can thrive in cool or warm temperatures, but will not thrive to their fullest potential if sun-deprived.
For the best results, plant blackberries or raised beds in an area of your garden that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight on a daily basis. Because they enjoy so much sun, blackberries can thrive in several planting locations, provided the location receives 6–8 hours of sunlight each day.
Can Blackberries Grow in Indirect Sunlight?
Blackberries can grow and flourish in indirect sunlight. Full sun is ultimately the best environment for blackberry bushes, but as long as they receive a full day of indirect sunlight, you should be able to enjoy good growing results.
- Blackberries can grow in indirect sunlight.
- Their taste is typically the same, whether grown in direct or indirect sun.
- Blackberries grown in indirect sun may be slightly smaller than those grown in full sun.
If temperatures are extreme, a full day of dappled sunlight can have almost the same effect as a day of full sun. The taste of the berries will be unaffected if grown in indirect sunlight, but they may be slightly smaller than blackberries grown in full sun.
Can Blackberries Grow in Shade?
Almost all types of blackberry will grow in shade and they will not die if they don’t receive full sun. However, there are several negative aspects associated with keeping your blackberries from direct sunlight. For instance, these bushes already have a tendency to grow a bit wild and will do so even more in an effort to find the sun. This means it will take a lot more work to keep them in shape and looking nice.
- Blackberry bushes can grow in shade.
- Bushes may grow wild in an effort to find the sun.
- The berries’ size will be significantly smaller when compared to those grown in full sun.
Shade will have a negative impact on fruit production, however. Blackberries will be significantly smaller on plants grown in the shade. Although this will not affect the taste of the berries, it will definitely have a negative impact on how many you get from your harvest. You can expect far fewer berries overall if you grow your plants in the shade. Therefore, if your aim is to have a bumper crop, don’t choose a shaded area for your blackberry bushes.
What Happens if Blackberries Don’t Get Enough Sun?
What happens to blackberries that don’t receive enough sun depends on the exact level of sun deprivation. If they receive direct sunlight, but not the full 6 to 8 hours, you may end up with a good harvest anyway.
- If only slightly sun-deprived, blackberry bushes may still do well.
- Blackberries that get far less sun than they need may be very small.
- Fewer berries will grow if the bushes are deprived of sun.
However, if they receive significantly less sun than the recommended amount, you may find yourself with berries that are abnormally small. The taste will be unaffected, but you won’t get as many berries and they won’t be as large as those that are planted in full sun.
Can Blackberries Get Too Much Sun?
Although they enjoy sunlight, it is possible for blackberries to get too much sun. Fortunately, they typically begin showing signs of sun scorch very quickly. One of the first signs is white drupelets. Drupelets are the tiny round sections that make up the body of each berry.
- Blackberries quickly develop telltale signs if they are overexposed to the sun.
- White drupelets (portions of the berry) are a sign of overexposure to the sun.
- Blackberries overexposed to the sun may become dried and hard, making them inedible.
- If your blackberry plants are being damaged by the sun, use this row cover to shield them from excess sunlight.
Since blackberries are a dark-colored fruit, they attract heat. This can make them hard and dry if they have too much sun exposure. In some cases, the sun may scorch the berries, giving them a reddish tint and affecting the quality of their flavor. In high temperatures, it’s a good idea to use a row cover to shield blackberries from the sun. This can protect your harvest and prevent damage to your plants. Covering your plants is much easier if you grow your blackberries on a trellis.
How Much Sun Do Blackberries Require?
Although they do tolerate some shade, blackberry canes love full sunlight. In order to properly care for blackberries, keep these tips in mind.
- Blackberries will grow, thrive, and produce the best harvest when placed in full sun.
- Blackberries should have a minimum of 6 hours of sun per day, but 8 hours is best.
- Blackberries can grow in indirect shade, but may have smaller berries.
- For the most bountiful harvest, avoid planting your blackberries in full shade.
- If sun overexposure is drying out your blackberries, use a row cover to give them shade.
When grown in full sun, you will get a large harvest of tasty berries. So, pick one of the sunniest spots in your garden for your blackberry canes. It’s much easier to cover them if they need a little afternoon shade than it is to replant blackberries that aren’t getting enough light.
