How to Grow Blackberry Navaho

Blackberry Navaho

Rubus fruticosus 'Navaho'

shrub

Navaho 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.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; 8+ hours preferred for maximum fruit production

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Water: Regular watering, 1-2 inches per week during growing season; consistent moisture critical during fruit development; reduce watering after harvest

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Spacing: 36 inches

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Days to maturity: Floricanes fruit in second year; primocanes may produce limited fruit in first year

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Planting depth: Plant bare-root or container plants at same depth as they were growing; crown at soil level

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to sandy loam soil

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost or aged manure Peat moss for moisture retention Perlite or sand for drainage improvement

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 5-9; best production in zones 6-8

5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

Growth Stages

Establishment

Spring through fall, year one

New canes emerge from crown; plant focuses on root development and establishing framework

Water consistently; mulch heavily; remove any flowers first year to encourage vegetative growth; stake or trellis erect canes

Cane Development

Year 2, spring-summer

Vigorous 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 dormancy

Floricanes (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:

Borage Marigold Chamomile Yarrow Buckwheat Clover

Avoid planting near:

Raspberry Strawberry Fennel Wormwood Other Rubus species (to reduce disease spread)

Common Pests

Hand-pick early morning; use pheromone traps; apply neem oil or spinosad if infestation is heavy
Spray with strong water stream; apply miticide if severe; maintain humidity and avoid water stress
Prune and destroy infested canes below entry holes; wrap young canes with mesh tape in spring
Apply sulfur spray in early spring; remove severely infected canes; ensure good air circulation
Prune for air circulation; apply copper fungicide in spring; remove infected canes; Navaho has good resistance

Uses

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Fresh eating and desserts

Culinary

Navaho 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]

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Preserves and jams

Culinary

The 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]

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Immune and antioxidant support

Medicinal

Blackberries 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]

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Bird and pollinator habitat

Wildlife

Blackberry 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]

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Landscape screening and erosion control

Household

Navaho'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.

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