Chester Blackberry

Plant in spring in fertile, well-drained soil, spacing 3–4 feet apart. Chester is one of the most widely grown thornless blackberry varieties — productive, cold-hardy, and easy to manage. Prepare the planting bed well by incorporating generous amounts of compost. Install posts and wires before planting for support. Water well after planting and mulch generously.

Blackberries produce fruit on second-year canes. After harvest, remove all canes that fruited to the ground to make room for new growth. Tip-prune new canes in summer to encourage lateral branching and more fruit the following year. Fertilize in spring. Water consistently during fruit development. Chester's thornless canes make harvest much easier and more pleasant than thorny varieties. Excellent flavor and high yields.