Kiowa Blackberry

If you’re looking for a truly remarkable berry for your garden, consider the Kiowa blackberry. This Native American heritage fruit is known for its incredible size and robust flavor, making it a favorite among home growers and berry enthusiasts alike.

It’s a thorny, upright variety that produces some of the largest blackberries you’ll ever see. With a little know-how, you can grow these impressive berries in your own backyard and enjoy a harvest that connects you to a rich agricultural history.

The Kiowa blackberry is a cultivar developed by the USDA-ARS in collaboration with the University of Arkansas. It was released in 1996 and is named in honor of the Kiowa tribe, reflecting a commitment to recognizing Native American heritage in agricultural development. It’s a cross between the ‘Brazos’ and the ‘Ark. 583’ blackberry.

What truly sets it apart is the fruit. We’re talking about berries that can reach the size of your thumb, sometimes over 2 inches long. The flavor is a classic, sweet-tart blackberry taste that is excellent for fresh eating, jams, and baking.

Key Characteristics of the Kiowa Blackberry

Fruit Size: Exceptionally large, often cited as the world’s largest blackberry.
Flavor: Balanced sweet and tart, rich and traditional.
Plant Habit: Erect, thorny canes that benefit from trellising.
Chill Hours: Requires approximately 200-300 chill hours, suitable for many temperate climates.
Harvest Season: A longer season than many varieties, typically from late spring through mid-summer.
Yield: High-producing when given proper care.

How to Plant Your Kiowa Blackberries

Getting your plants off to a strong start is crucial. The best time to plant is in early spring or late fall when the plants are dormant. This gives the root system time to establish before the heat of summer or the demands of fruiting.

Choose a site with full sun—at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Good air circulation helps prevent fungal diseases, and well-drained soil is non-negotiable. Blackberries hate “wet feet.”

Test and Amend Soil: Aim for slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Work in plenty of compost or well-rotted manure before planting.
Spacing: Plant your Kiowa blackberries 4 to 5 feet apart in rows that are 8 to 10 feet apart. Their vigorous growth needs room.
Planting Depth: Set the plant in the hole so the root ball is level with the soil surface. Backfill and water deeply.
Initial Pruning: After planting, cut the canes back to about 6 inches tall. This encourages new, strong growth from the base.

Choosing the Right Trellis System

While Kiowa has erect canes, a simple trellis provides crucial support, especially when laden with huge fruit. A two-wire trellis is effective and easy to build.

Set sturdy posts at each end of the row and every 15-20 feet in between.
Run one wire at about 3 feet high and a second wire at 5 to 6 feet high.
As the canes grow, you can loosely tie them to the wires to keep them upright and organized.

Caring for Your Plants Through the Seasons

Consistent care is simple but makes all the difference in your harvest. Watering is most critical during fruit development and in dry periods. Provide 1 to 2 inches of water per week, aiming at the base to keep foliage dry.

Mulching is your friend. Apply a 3-4 inch layer of organic mulch like wood chips or pine straw around the plants. This conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and keeps the soil cool. Just keep it a few inches away from the crown of the plant.

Fertilizing for Success

Feed your Kiowa blackberries in early spring as new growth begins. A balanced fertilizer, like a 10-10-10, works well. Apply according to package directions, usually about 1/4 to 1/2 pound per plant, spread in a circle around the base.

A second, lighter application can be made after harvest to help the plant recover and store energy for next year. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to excessive leafy growth at the expense of fruit.

The Essential Guide to Pruning

Pruning is the secret to healthy plants and big harvests. Blackberries fruit on second-year canes, called floricanes. Understanding this cycle is key.

Primocanes: First-year canes. They grow vegetatively (leaves and stems) but do not flower.
Floricanes: Second-year canes. These are the ones that flower, fruit, and then die after harvest.

Here’s your simple annual pruning schedule:

Summer Tipping: In late spring or early summer, when new primocanes reach about 3-4 feet tall, pinch or cut off the top few inches. This encourages branching, which leads to more fruiting sites next year.
Post-Harvest Cleanup: Immediately after you finish harvesting, cut down all the floricanes that just bore fruit to the ground. Remove them from the area to prevent disease.
Late Winter Thinning: In late winter, thin the remaining primocanes (which will be your floricanes this coming summer). Keep 4-6 of the strongest, healthiest canes per plant and remove the rest at the base.

Harvesting and Using Your Bounty

Harvest time is the best reward. Kiowa blackberries are ready when they turn a deep, dull black and detach easily with a gentle tug. They do not ripen further after picking, so patience is key. Harvest in the cool of the morning every couple of days during the season.

Handle them gently to avoid bruising. They are fantastic eaten fresh, but their large size and good flavor also make them perfect for:

Freezing (spread on a tray first, then bag)
Jams, jellies, and syrups
Pies, cobblers, and crisps
Fruit salads and yogurt parfaits

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Even the best gardens face challenges. Here are a few to watch for with Kiowa blackberries.

Pests

Japanese Beetles & Stink Bugs: These can damage fruit. Hand-pick in small gardens or use appropriate organic controls.
Spider Mites: Look for stippled leaves in hot, dry weather. A strong spray of water can help dislodge them.
Birds: They love berries as much as you do. Use bird netting as fruit begins to color is the most effective solution.

Diseases

Anthracnose & Orange Rust: Fungal diseases that cause cane spots or weak growth. Promote good air flow through pruning and remove infected canes immediately. Planting disease-resistant varieties is the best prevention.
Root Rot: Caused by poorly drained soil. Ensure your planting site has excellent drainage from day one.

FAQ About Kiowa Blackberries

Q: How long does it take for Kiowa blackberry plants to produce fruit?
A: You may get a small harvest in the second year after planting. Plants typically reach full production in their third or fourth year.

Q: Are Kiowa blackberries self-pollinating?
A: Yes, they are. You only need one plant to get fruit, though having more can improve yields slightly.

Q: Can I grow Kiowa blackberries in a container?
A: It’s possible but challenging due to their large, vigorous growth habit. Choose a very large container (at least 20 gallons) and be prepared to water and fertilize frequently.

Q: What’s the difference between Kiowa and other large blackberries like Triple Crown?
A: Kiowa is thorny and has a more traditional tart-sweet flavor. Triple Crown is thornless and often considered sweeter. Kiowa also tends to have a longer harvest season in many climates.

Q: How should I prepare my Kiowa blackberries for winter?
A> In most climates, they are quite hardy. After late winter pruning, a fresh layer of mulch around the base is sufficient. In very cold areas (below USDA zone 5), you may need to lay the canes down and cover them with mulch for protection.

Growing the Kiowa blackberry is a rewarding project that yields delicious results. By providing sun, good drainage, and following the simple pruning cycle, you’ll be well on your way to harvesting these exceptional Native American heritage fruits from your own garden. The combination of history, impressive size, and great flavor makes it a variety worth trying for any gardener with a little space and a love for berries.