Harvest guide

Blackberry harvest guide: when to pick and how much to expect

Garden blackberries crop from midsummer into early autumn, and trailing types can be very productive. Here is when to pick and what to expect per plant.

First crop: Bears from about the second year. Plants stay productive for 5–20 years depending on type.(NC State Extension Gardener Handbook)
Harvest months: July–September(RHS)
Per plant: 1.8–9.1 kg (4–20 lb) per plant(NC State Extension Gardener Handbook)
Spacing: 60–90 cm (24–36 in) apart(University of Illinois Extension)
Family: Rosaceae (rose family)
Botanical name: Rubus subgenus Rubus

Blackberry planting and harvest calendar

Plant October–March. Harvest July–September.(RHS)

Blackberry season timeline

Plant
Harvest

Months are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate, based on RHS (UK) guidance. Shift them earlier or later to match your own frost dates, or by about six months in the Southern Hemisphere.

Plant out
Harvest

When to harvest blackberries

Pick berries that are plump, glossy and juicy. They won't ripen any further after picking.(RHS)

How often to pick

Harvest every few days through the season.(RHS)

How many blackberries to expect

That works out to 1.8–9.1 kg (4–20 lb) per plant. About 4 lb for erect types and up to 20 lb for semi-trailing types.(NC State Extension Gardener Handbook)

Yields vary with variety, weather, soil and care. Treat these as ballpark figures, not targets.

Plan for your family

For 4 people eating blackberries fresh, plan on about 2–6 plants(NC State Extension Gardener Handbook). That should give 4–54 kg (8–120 lb) a year once plants are mature(NC State Extension Gardener Handbook).

About 6 erect plants, or 2 semi-trailing plants, for a family of four.

See the full planting-per-person guide →

Storing your blackberries

Use shallow containers so the berries don't crush, then eat fresh, freeze or make jam.(RHS)
Refrigerate unwashed and use within two to three days.(University of Maine Cooperative Extension)

Track it

Log every blackberry harvest

Harvest Journal is a private garden journal for your phone. Tap to log each picking of blackberries by weight or count, and see your season add up, with no account needed.