Gadsden County Extension Column

Exploring blackberry production opportunities in North Florida

Blackberries are a deciduous, perennial crop that thrive in temperate climates. While several native blackberry species grow wild in Florida, their small fruit size, late maturation, and low yields make them unsuitable for commercial production. Historically, cultivated blackberry varieties in Florida have been primarily limited to homeowner production. A major limiting factor to production has been Florida's mild winters as most traditional blackberry varieties require between 300 - 900 chilling hours below 45 degrees Fahrenheit to break dormancy and produce. But, UF/IFAS researchers are working to change that through targeted breeding, variety evaluation, and production research.

Many tested varieties originate from the University of Arkansas breeding program, which has released numerous thornless, disease-resistance varieties now being evaluated across Florida.

Research trials at UF/IFAS Research and Education Centers have shown that floricane-fruiting varieties, which produce fruit on second year canes, generally perform more reliably in Florida than primocane fruiting types, which often experience heat damage during summer flower development. However, select primocane cultivars with strong vigor and early flowering show promise for spring production in North Florida.

Promising Cultivars for Florida Growers

UF/IFAS research trials have highlighted several varieties with commercial and U-pick potential:

• ‘Ouachita’ : Thornless, erect, floricane‑fruiting cultivar known for excellent flavor, good firmness, and moderate yields; commonly used for U‑pick operations.

• ‘Osage’ : Produces sweet, firm fruit with good postharvest quality and moderate vigor.

• ‘Prime‑Ark Freedom’ : The first thornless primocane‑fruiting cultivar; highly productive with very large fruit, particularly promising for early spring harvest.

• ‘Natchez’ : High‑yielding and early‑ripening but prone to soft fruit and long‑term decline in plant vigor, making it less desirable for U‑pick systems.

Selection of varieties with appropriate chilling requirements, manageable vigor, and strong fruit quality is critical to long-term success in Florida’s climate.

Learn More at the UF/IFAS Blackberry Field Day

UF/IFAS invites you to learn more about blackberries and the current research associated with blackberry production at the 2026 Blackberry Field Day, on Thursday, June 18th. This event will be held from 8:30 – 11:45AM Eastern Time, at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research & Education Center (NFREC), located at 155 Research Road, Quincy, Florida.

This is a free event aimed at educating home gardeners, farmers, landowners, and industry representatives about production practices such as proper planting, pruning, and fertilization. Attendees will be able to tour the blackberry planting at the UF/IFAS NFREC as well as sample different blackberry varieties! The field day aims to present attendees with the potential benefits, challenges, and current research associated with blackberry production in North Florida.

Attendees will be able to visit the blackberry planting at UF/IFAS North Florida Research & Education Center in Quincy. Light refreshments will be provided. Space is limited, so please register using the link below or by calling 850-875-7255 to reserve your spot!

To register: https://2026blackberryfieldday.eventbrite.com

With continued research and grower education, blackberries are emerging as an exciting specialty crop for North Florida. UF/IFAS research is helping to bridge the gap between backyard production and commercially viable systems, offering growers new opportunities to diversify their operations.

The University of Florida is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities. If you require special accommodations to attend this field day, please contact Danielle Williams at 8508757255 or via email dsprague@ufl.edu at least five days prior to the event.

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