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| Figure 20. Side view of vigorous thornless blackberries on a double-T trellis. |
Best appearance, quality, storage life, and shipping ability of raspberries are obtained by picking only mature, firm fruit, handing it carefully to avoid injury, and cooling it to 40°F. Berries held without cooling are inferior in appearance and quality and can be destroyed by fruit-rotting organisms as compared to those cooled after picking and held in cold storage. Raspberries and blackberries are not adapted to long storage periods, but they can be kept in good condition for a few days at a temperature between 32°F and 40°F with a high relative humidity, provided the berries are properly picked and placed into refrigerated storage within 45 to 60 minutes after picking.
Raspberries and blackberries can be shipped fairly long distances if the fruit is firm, if it has been precooled, if it is handled carefully, and if provisions are made to keep it cool during transit and at the market.
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| Figure 20. Side view of vigorous thornless blackberries on a double-T trellis. |
The canes of recommended cultivars of red, black, and purple raspberries as well as blackberries, when well grown, should be hardy in Ohio and require no special winter protection. Occasional winter injury to red raspberry canes occurs because of severe cold conditions in late winter after the rest period is broken. Attempting to protect canes from such injury is impractical.
Trailing-type blackberries, during most winters, demand special protection if the fruiting wood is to escape injury. They can be protected if, in the fall after the new growth becomes dormant, the new canes are placed in the ground and covered lightly with soil or straw. In the spring when danger of severe cold has passed, the canes are uncovered and placed on the trellis or tied to a stake.