How-to Guide
How to Plant Blackberries: Spacing and Trellis
The short answer
Spacing depends on the blackberry's growth habit. Erect types are planted about 2 to 4 feet apart in the row with roughly 10 feet between rows, while semi-trailing (semi-erect) and trailing types need more room — about 6 to 8 feet apart in the row with rows about 10 feet apart. Set that spacing at planting so canes have room and airflow.
Trellis blackberries — it isn't optional for most types. Training the canes up wires keeps fruit off the ground, improves airflow to prevent disease, and tidies the planting. Erect and everbearing types do well on a T-trellis; semi-erect types benefit from a 'double-T' with a wide cross arm at the top and a narrower one below; trailing types are bundled and tied up to the top wire as they grow.
Spacing by type
- Erect blackberries — about 2–4 ft apart in the row, ~10 ft between rows.
- Semi-trailing / semi-erect and trailing — about 6–8 ft apart in the row, rows ~10 ft apart.
- Set spacing at planting to give canes room and good airflow.
Trellising
- A T-trellis suits erect summer-bearing and everbearing blackberries.
- A double-T (a ~4-ft cross arm on top, a 2–3-ft cross arm about 2 ft below) suits semi-erect cultivars.
- For trailing types, bundle the primocanes and tie them up to the top wire as they grow, wrapping and spreading canes along the wires.
✔ Trellising helps prevent disease, keeps fruit from rotting on the ground, and gives the planting a tidy, workable shape.
Sources
Reviewed 2026-07-18. We cite university Extension, government, and established horticultural sources — and never invent pesticide rates or dangerous treatments.
- Clemson HGIC — Blackberry — Erect types 2–4 ft apart with ~10 ft rows; semi-trailing 6–8 ft apart; trellising benefits (disease prevention, clean fruit); T-trellis and double-T designs.
- Oregon State University Extension — Growing blackberries in your home garden (EC 1303) — Training trailing blackberry primocanes to the trellis by bundling and tying to the top wire; trellis improves sunlight and airflow.
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