How to Grow Blackberry Navaho
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Blackberry Navaho
Rubus fruticosus 'Navaho'
shrubNavaho is an erect, thornless blackberry cultivar known for its large, sweet berries and vigorous growth habit. It produces abundant yields of firm, flavorful fruit ideal for fresh eating and preserves. This variety is highly disease-resistant and adapts well to various growing conditions.
When should you plant Blackberry Navaho in your zone?
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Example Blackberry Navaho timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Blackberry Navaho
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Blackberry Navaho
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Blackberry Navaho dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9; best production in zones 6-8
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Cane Development
Year 2, spring-summerVigorous upright canes grow 5-8 feet tall; lateral branches form along main canes
Support canes with trellis or stake system; prune laterals to 12-18 inches in late fall; remove weak or damaged canes
Flowering
Late spring (April-May in most zones)White to pale pink flowers appear along lateral branches; heavy bloom is typical for Navaho
Ensure adequate potassium for flower development; maintain consistent water; monitor for pests during bloom
Fruiting
6-8 weeks (June-July typically)Berries develop from green to red to black; fully ripe black berries are soft, sweet, and peak quality
Water consistently; apply balanced fertilizer mid-season; thin berries if overcrowded for larger individual fruit
Post-Harvest
August through fall dormancyFloricanes (fruit-bearing canes) begin to decline; primocanes (new growth) develop for next year's crop
Remove and compost fruited canes at soil level immediately after harvest; fertilize primocanes lightly; reduce watering gradually
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick early morning; use pheromone traps; apply neem oil or spinosad if infestation is heavy
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Spray with strong water stream; apply miticide if severe; maintain humidity and avoid water stress
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Prune and destroy infested canes below entry holes; wrap young canes with mesh tape in spring
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Apply sulfur spray in early spring; remove severely infected canes; ensure good air circulation
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Prune for air circulation; apply copper fungicide in spring; remove infected canes; Navaho has good resistance
Uses
Fresh eating and desserts
CulinaryNavaho blackberries are exceptionally sweet and firm, perfect for eating fresh, adding to yogurt, ice cream, and baked goods. Their large size and thornless production make them ideal for commercial picking and home use. [source]
Preserves and jams
CulinaryThe high pectin and sugar content of Navaho berries makes them excellent for jams, jellies, and preserves that set well without excessive added pectin. Frozen berries maintain quality for year-round use. [source]
Immune and antioxidant support
MedicinalBlackberries are rich in vitamin C, ellagic acid, and anthocyanins with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties traditionally used in herbal medicine. Regular consumption may support immune function and overall wellness. [source]
Bird and pollinator habitat
WildlifeBlackberry plants provide dense shelter for nesting birds and berries for wildlife food. The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators essential for fruit production. [source]
Landscape screening and erosion control
HouseholdNavaho's vigorous, upright growth habit makes it excellent for creating hedgerows or living screens. Its extensive root system helps stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Pick berries when fully black and slightly soft, typically in early to mid-summer; harvest every 2-3 days at peak ripeness; morning harvest when fruit is cool yields best quality; Navaho's thornless canes make harvesting easier; berries do not ripen after picking, so allow full ripeness on plant
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Navaho is one of the few thornless blackberry varieties that maintain the erect growth habit of thorned types, making it a game-changer for commercial and home growers who want injury-free harvesting.
- 🌱 Unlike many thornless varieties that produce primocane (first-year) fruit, Navaho primarily produces floricane (second-year cane) fruit, which is often larger and sweeter.
- 🌱 The blackberry is technically not a berry at all but an aggregate fruit made up of 80-100 tiny drupelets, each containing a seed; Navaho produces particularly large, firm drupelets that hold together exceptionally well.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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