Extra Attention
- These special berries do not ripen after they have been harvested so that means you must be patient in waiting until they ripen completely.
- Because of this, home-grown blackberries tend to be bred better for flavor as they can sit longer. Store-bought blackberries are bred for better transportation durability as they can become very soft through handling.
Picking
- [Resistant to climate] Blackberries can grow in pretty much any region. However, the climate does change the ripening season.
- Ripening season:
- Pacific Northwest: late summer to early fall frost
- Southern/Warm to hot: spring to earlier summer
- Midwest/Northeast: July and August
- Depending on variety and breed, you can expect one plant to yield 10-30 pounds of fruit.
Color Specific
- Wait until blackberries go from a rosy red to black color.
- Pick by hand as they are delicate and soft in nature.
- Do not pick when they are wet because this leads to squish or even further, mold.
Refrigerate or Eat Same Day
- Store in 35–45-degree temperatures to keep them fresh as long as possible.
Source
Liz Baessler, “Picking Blackberries: How And When To Harvest Blackberries” Gardening Know How, December 13, 2020, accessed July 14, 2021, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/harvesting-blackberries.htm.