{"product_id":"blackberry-navaho","title":"Blackberry, Navaho","description":"\u003ch2\u003ePlant Care:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlanting: \u003cbr\u003eChoose a full sun location that receives at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily to encourage high sugar development in the berries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDig a hole twice the width of the root ball and to the same depth. Prefers fertile, organic-rich, and well-draining soil with an ideal pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Space individual plants 3–4 feet apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWatering:\u003cbr\u003eWater newly planted shrubs deeply 1–2 times a week to establish a healthy, deep root system during the first growing season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstablished plants require moderate, consistent moisture. Provide regular irrigation during the summer bloom and fruit-ripening periods to keep the berries from shriveling, but avoid waterlogged soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFertilizing:\u003cbr\u003eApply a balanced, slow-release general fertilizer or a rich layer of organic compost in early spring before new growth begins to push.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid heavy or late-season nitrogen applications, which can cause rampant, leafy cane growth at the expense of fruit production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePruning:\u003cbr\u003eRequires a standard two-step pruning method since it bears fruit on second-year canes (floricanes). In early summer, tip the new first-year canes (primocanes) at about 3.5 to 4 feet tall to force lateral branching.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn late winter or immediately following harvest, prune all dead, two-year-old spent canes completely down to ground level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePest and Disease Control:\u003cbr\u003eShows good natural resistance to rosette (double blossom) and anthracnose. However, it can be susceptible to orange rust, so ensure adequate plant spacing for proper airflow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMonitor for aphids or Japanese beetles, and protect ripening fruit from birds with lightweight netting. Note that this variety is completely thornless.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWinter Care:\u003cbr\u003eApply a 3-inch layer of organic mulch or wood chips around the root zone in late autumn to insulate the root system from winter temperature fluctuations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRequires roughly 800–900 winter chill hours to break dormancy and fruit optimally, making it highly reliable for regions with steady winter cooling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant Description:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAppearance:\u003cbr\u003eFeatures clusters of attractive white-to-pinkish flower blossoms in mid-spring that serve as a strong attractant for pollinators.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowed by a heavy mid-to-late summer harvest of medium-sized, glossy black berries that develop in clean, easy-to-pick clusters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFoliage:\u003cbr\u003eMedium green, deciduous compound leaves with lightly serrated edges form a dense, upright, and tidy canopy throughout the season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFoliage transitions to soft shades of yellow, bronze, or muted red in the late autumn before dropping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShape and Growth:\u003cbr\u003eA vigorous, completely thornless deciduous shrub with a strictly erect and self-supporting growth habit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaches a mature height of 4–6 feet and a spread of 3–4 feet. Because its canes are exceptionally stiff and upright, it can easily be grown without a trellis system, though a simple wire line can help contain heavy mid-summer crops. It is entirely self-pollinating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFruit Characteristics:\u003cbr\u003eRenowned for producing some of the firmest berries of any thornless variety, giving it an exceptional post-harvest shelf life. The fruit features small seeds and a remarkably sweet, rich flavor with a high natural sugar content, ripening later in the summer to extend your berry season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdaptability:\u003cbr\u003eCelebrated for its rugged constitution, it handles intense summer heat and humidity beautifully. Thrives across USDA Zones 6–9 and treats varying soil types well as long as drainage is secure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLandscape Use:\u003cbr\u003eAn outstanding choice for home orchards, backyard garden plots, or edible property borders. Its strictly upright, compact form and completely thornless nature make it exceptionally family-friendly, allowing for easy picking, fresh eating, baking, and summer preserves.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freedom Tree Farms","offers":[{"title":"1G","offer_id":52268490227995,"sku":"C00002176","price":9.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/freedomtreefarms.com\/products\/blackberry-navaho","provider":"Freedom Tree Farms","version":"1.0","type":"link"}