Product Review

Sweetie Pie is a new thornless blackberry cultivar released by the USDA which is not only resistant to common Blackberry diseases but is now considered the sweetest most delicious tasting blackberry available. 'Sweetie Pie' was selected at Poplarville, Mississippi in 1996. It was subsequently propagated and tested at McNeill, Mississippi, as well as in trial plantings in Louisiana and Arkansas. 'Sweetie Pie' grows vigorously and produces numerous floricanes, which are thornless and have a trailing growth habit. 'Sweetie Pie' is resistant to Rosette disease (double blossom), one of the most limiting factors in growing blackberries in the southern United States. It's berries are medium size, glossy, black, and with have excellent flavor due to high soluble solids content. 'Sweetie Pie' lacks sufficient firmness for use as commercial cultivar, but its outstanding flavor and high sugar content make it a desirable cultivar for homeowners and U-Pick operations. 'Sweetie Pie' ripens mid-late season (mid June-late July in South MS) and can be propagated easily from softwood and root cuttings. 'Sweetie Pie' grows well in raised beds having a pH of 6.0 - 7.0 that are amended with organic matter. How to Grow Most all edible plants grow well in Full Sun, a little shade won't hurt. Blackberry Plants can be planted in most healthy soils with normal pH to lower pH range 6-8. I recommend growing in a organic potting soil with fertilizer already added for your starter plant and then mix up your favorite type of medium when ready to be fully planted. Let your soil almost completely dry out then water 2-3 times a week when temperatures are below 80 degrees. When temperatures are above 80 degrees water daily to every other day.