Chester - Thornless Blackberry

Chester is a semi-erect, thornless blackberry with large, round, firm fruit that ripens in late summer. Illinois Extension reports that harvest can continue for up to six weeks and that the canes need a trellis. Plant this cultivar in full sun and well-drained soil, with enough room to train its canes along a support. Water in dry weather and mulch to conserve moisture and control weeds. Blackberries have biennial canes: new primocanes grow in their first year, then become fruiting floricanes the next year. Chester’s firm berries are suited to fresh use and can handle transport to local markets. ## Maintenance Tie canes to the trellis as they grow. After the crop is picked, remove the floricanes that have finished fruiting and retain healthy new canes for next year. In spring, remove dead or broken growth and keep the row open enough for air movement and harvest. In colder sites, protect dormant canes if winter injury is a concern. Sources: [Illinois Extension blackberry cultivar guide](https://extension.illinois.edu/small-fruits/growing-blackberries), [University of Maine Extension](https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/2172e/), [Iowa State Extension blackberry care](https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/growing-blackberries-home-garden).