So, I have a few options for you to consider. Either the berries are not sweet because they are water logged from rain or over watering during ripening, or they are too tart for your preference. 1. If they are watery and tasteless, then the recent rains may have overwhelmed the berries, and you can avoid watering while we have seasonal rainfall. 2. If they are too tart, then the variety may be a less sweet variety, they may be getting too much shade, they may not be getting enough water (less likely because of our rains), or simply you could be picking 12-24 hours too early before the berry is at the perfect ripe stage. I've seen berries go from not quite ready in the morning to perfect by the late afternoon to over-ripe by the next morning.

I don't think I've ever harvested before the first week in May. It's tricky because the timing may be slightly different based on your variety, when you planted, or our inconsistent weather. I had a horrible crop last year (1 year after this video was filmed) with low yields. This year I purchased garlic from grower so I could have plants better suited for the heat, and in about 7 days I will start testing their size by simply removing some soil around the bulb without disturbing the roots to look at the size. The bulb should be large, and you can often see lobes if the cloves have formed in the bulb as they are supposed to. the cloves are the last part to develop, so if you harvest too soon, then the cloves won't even be developed yet.

Great question! No, you don't have to replace your bush. I've had the same plants for going on almost 10 years! Additionally, a single plant has multiplied into a large patch because of my location and infrequent mowing habits in that area. New canes pop up each year from the roots, and this is why you should never have to buy any more plants. New canes harden over winter and then will only flower and fruit once in spring before dying at the end of the year as the new canes are growing. Most people have these types of blackberry varieties. Since filming this video, I've also grown a large patch of Primocane varieties which have been bred for more abundant yearly yields. I really like Prime Arkansas 'Freedom" for my area if you want to research that variety. Primocanes will produce 2-3 times in a year (spring and fall with sometimes a summer crop if watered well) before dying (but the new canes still replace the old every year).

I can't. They usually don't fall off the vine, but they will tear the panel down with the weight in Houston's high wind storms. Often I try to keep the vines running less than 3' off the ground so the fruit can grow and eventually be supported on the ground toward the end of their growth when the skin is tougher. Alternatively, I will cut the melons off at about 10-15 pounds and immediately skin, cube, and freeze for later cooking.

@@TurnYourHeadandScoff that makes sense, my nylon trellis is hanging above my head and the Giant Black Gourd that I tied up with paracord sideways is embedding itself into the gourd. Next time, I will run the vine against my 5ft galvanized fence and let the fruit rest on the ground. Thanks for the idea.

Oh that's very interesting about the rain! Yes, mine get more "waxy" when they are older, but often the fruit gets too heavy if the vine climbs a panel to get to the age it should for long term storage (the waxy/white coat and hard skin).

It took a very long time for these to sprout because the heat and moisture outside had to be perfectly timed. I could not force any to sprout indoors no matter which best practices I used, and I'd estimate the outdoor temperatures had to be above 90 degrees along with several days of seasonal rains followed by a period of no rain before these seeds sprouted. This is the pattern I saw after several years growing.

@@TurnYourHeadandScoff very helpful to know! Thanks.

These are in the same family of foods, but I don't know anything about horse diets, sorry!

Yes, in my yard the mound resolves a completely different set of issues I face in this location. My landscape design clients in the Austin area use companies that jackhammer out the rock, add soil, and then plant shrubs for their yards if they are directly on rock. However, with slopes, retaining to create tiers may be a way for you to build up and manage growing on your property. I'm sure there are other variables to consider, but definitely don't rush into anything you're not excited to maintain!!!

It spreads vigorously through the underground root system like my other blackberry plants. Although that doesn't put it on the invasive list, new canes will pop up in my garden up to 10 feet away from the parent plant every spring.