Chester Thornless Blackberry

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: 5

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: 1 year plant in 2.5" pot ~30cm above soil or 2 year plant bareroot 40-60cm above soil.