Hello, The side shoots should all be cut back now to around 5cm as it is mainly from the resulting fruiting spurs that the fruit will form next year. The plant will usually then send up new basal canes in the second year.

Helen

Yello, You could, but keep in mind that the new canes need to be separated from fruiting ones (so after cropping the canes that have produced fruit can be cut to the ground while the new canes can be tied on to replace them), so it may be difficult to do this on an arch.

Helen

Hello there As a general rule plants that are grown in containers can be planted at any time of year as long as the soil isn't frozen solid. The best times are in the autumn when the soil is still warm enough to encourage root growth but the plant isn't in active growth, or the spring before the temperatures start to rise. This blackberry is full hardy, but as we are having freezing conditions at the moment I would wait until the weather warms up. You can still keep them outside in the garden, in a sheltered place where they won't be blown over until you can plant. You might get a few blackberries in the first year. Hope this helps.

Hello there I would go for a good sized pot, approx 40-50cm diameter pot. I hope this helps

Hello There, I'm afraid you will have trouble getting a bumper yield of any of the edible crops if the bed receives little sun, as most of them need full sun. Ones that tolerate some shade include radish, potato, borage, horseradish, blueberry, blackberry and tayberry - all the others will flourish in the sun. I hope this helps. Helen Plant Doctor

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Hello There, They should go in the ground as soon as possible, but avoid planting during periods when the soil is either frozen or waterlogged. I hope this helps. Helen Plant Doctor

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