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Blackberry (Triple Crown) is considered one of the finest thornless blackberry varieties available — a semi-erect, vigorous cane producing very large, glossy-black berries with outstanding sweet-tart flavor and exceptional productivity. The name reflects its three-way excellence: superb flavor, very large fruit size, and high yields. Hardy in zones 5–9, Triple Crown produces long canes that arch gracefully on a trellis, bearing fruit in mid-to-late summer on second-year wood. A single established plant can yield 10–20 lbs of berries annually. Being thornless, harvesting is pleasurable rather than painful, and the berries separate cleanly from the plant at peak ripeness. The fruits are excellent fresh, frozen, and for making preserves, pies, and fruit wines.
Plant Triple Crown in full sun in fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5–6.5). Provide a sturdy trellis or post-and-wire system — the semi-erect canes grow 6–8 feet long. Space plants 5–6 feet apart. Water consistently; blackberries are not drought-tolerant during fruiting. Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer in early spring and a nitrogen side-dressing in late spring. Triple Crown fruits on second-year canes (floricanes) — after harvest, cut all fruited canes to the ground and train new first-year canes (primocanes) onto the trellis for next year's crop. Tip-prune new canes at 4 feet in late summer to encourage lateral branching and more fruiting wood. Protect from birds with netting as berries ripen. Virtually disease and pest-free compared to thorned varieties.
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