History: Chester Thornless was created and released as a collaboration between the Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Station, and Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station. It was first bred in Illinois in 1968 and was selected for its thornless nature and cold hardiness. It was later released in 1985.
Why We Grow It: Chester Thornless is easy to grow and rewarding. It produces a reliable bounty of firm, sweet, juicy blackberries that are great for a wide variety of uses.
Canadian Hardiness Zone: 4
Soil Preference: Loam and sandy loam, prefers soils that are moist but well-drained
Growth Habits and Disease Resistance: Very vigorous and cold hardy, produces heavy and reliable crops. Good disease resistance.
Class: Floricane, bears fruit in the summer and only on second year growth
Thorns: No
Sun/Shade: Full sun (approx. 8-10 hours of sun daily)
Pollination: Self-pollinating, this variety will produce fruit without a different blackberry variety but will produce more and better fruit if one is present
Ripens: Late July
Storage: Keeps up to a week when stored in the fridge
Recommended Use: Fresh eating, jam
Size including roots:
- One year plant: 10-20cm
- Two year plant: 40-60cm