I have some blackberry plugs I won’t be able to get into the ground until the weekend. The supplier said they are dormant and to keep them in the fridge for up to a week before planting. They’re in there now bagged up. I’m wondering if it wouldn’t be better to put them outside and let them start waking up or just leave them in the fridge. I guess it’s better if they stay dormant to avoid transplant shock?
I have lots of experience putting fruits and vegetables in my fridge and know what they look like when they come out so I am thinking best to get them out sooner rather than later. I can keep them outside in wet shredded newspaper or something. Will this fuck them up?
That's pretty much it. Blackberries are heat-loving, and dont require vernalization or nothing, so any growing zone below 7 will see the foliage die back for winter, with the rootstock staying strong but dormant.
The moment they wake up they'll probably freak a bit and devote everything past the first leaves to re-establishing rootbeds, so its best to keep them sleepy til they hit the soil.
Depending on how old your transplants are, it'll be a year or three before berry production really takes off.
EDIT: Don't know if deer are a problem where you are, but the beasties LOVE young blackberry shoots before the spines fully harden. Maybe look into getting some fencing or netting or a dog or a gun. I'm reallllllll close to declaring a 4-pests campaign on the fuckers. They totally defoliated two of my new bushes this year. :mao-shining:
Oh for fucks sake the deer. I hate those damn things. I do have fencing, but no uposts so will have to go get some.
They are 100% pests they eat everything. Need wolves in this mf, unironically. Unfortunately my dog is useless