Blackberry Plants - Cheyenne

‘Cheyenne’ produce a firm berry that is excellent for jellies, jams, and freezing. Introduced in 1976 at Fayetteville, Arkansas, this Blackberry has large high-quality berries with very good flavor and yields. Our most winter-hardy variety is ideal for the North and Midwest. ‘Cheyenne’ is thorny but is a very good producer and is also good for machine harvesting. This early ripening variety ripens around the beginning of June and is easy-to-grow.

Allow canes to grow to 18-30″ the first year and then prune a few inches to form a low stocky bush which will hold a crop without trellising. 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.

Planting Instructions: May be planted in any well-drained soil. Dig a hole large enough to encompass the roots without bending or circling. Set the plant in place so the crown (part of the plant where the roots meet the stem) is about 1-2" below the soil surface. Cover with soil to the original soil surface and water thoroughly.

Fertilize at planting and again in late spring. Choose a sunny site in your garden with good air circulation, water drainage, and a pH of 6.0-7.0. Keep roots moist until planting. Work plenty of organic matter into the soil and mulch to keep out weeds. Plant as soon as the soil has warmed. Trim canes to encourage new growth.

Plants should be set out at least 2 feet apart in rows 7 feet apart. Trellising is beneficial for cane support. These summer-bearing berries produce fruit on second year canes (floricanes).

In the fall of the 2nd year, prune spent canes at ground level and thin others to approximately 4 canes per foot of row. Cut off suckers which grow outside of rows. Trim remaining blackberry canes to 7 feet.