Prime-Ark Freedom Blackberry is a revolutionary thornless blackberry and the world’s first primocane-bearing thornless variety. This exceptional plant produces fruit on both first-year (primocane) and second-year (floricane) canes, giving growers two harvests per season—an early summer crop followed by a fall harvest. Prime-Ark Freedom produces large, firm, glossy black berries with rich, sweet flavor, making it ideal for fresh eating, baking, freezing, and preserving. Its vigorous growth, extended harvest window, and thornless canes make it a favorite for gardeners seeking both convenience and high performance.

One of the biggest advantages of this variety is simplified pruning: if desired, you can cut all canes down at the end of the season and enjoy a single, strong fall harvest the following year—saving time while still producing excellent fruit.

SHIPPING INFO: This product begins shipping in March. Plants will ship once danger of freezing has passed. We will try to ship within the ideal planting window for your growing zone.

Why Grow Prime-Ark Freedom Blackberry?

• World’s first thornless primocane-bearing blackberry
• Produces two harvests per year (early summer + fall)
• Large, sweet, firm berries with excellent flavor
• Thornless canes for easy, pain-free harvesting
• Flexible pruning options for simplified maintenance
• Highly productive and well suited for home gardens

Growing Information

🌱 Plant Type: Blackberry (thornless, primocane + floricane) – rooted plug
🌱 Hardiness Zones: 6–9
🌱 When to Plant: Spring, once risk of hard frost has passed
🌱 When to Harvest:
– Early summer (floricane crop)
– Fall (primocane crop)

Cultivation Tips

• Soil requirements: Plant in well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter. Avoid low spots where water may pool.
• Sunlight: Full sun for best growth and fruit production.
• Watering: Water consistently, especially during hot or dry periods. Soil should remain moist but not soggy. Mulching helps retain moisture and keep roots cool.
• Harvesting: Berries are ready when fully black, glossy, and release easily from the plant. Harvest every few days during peak season.
• Pruning: For dual harvests, manage both primocanes and floricanes. For a simpler approach, cut all canes to the ground in late winter to focus on a single fall crop.
• Spacing: Space plants approximately 3–5 feet apart for proper airflow and cane development.
• Pollination: Self-fertile—no additional plants required.

Click here for our Blackberry Growing Guide

Click here for a video on How to Care for Brambles: Plants and Plugs

History

Prime-Ark Freedom was developed by the University of Arkansas and released in 2013 as part of their pioneering primocane-fruiting blackberry breeding program. It was the first thornless blackberry capable of producing fruit on both new and old canes, transforming blackberry cultivation by combining extended harvests, thornless convenience, and high-quality fruit.

Non-GMO Commitment: At The Farm on Central, all our plants are guaranteed non-GMO and not genetically modified in any way, upholding natural breeding methods and promoting sustainable gardening and farming practices.

Growing method: Conventionally grown, due to tissue culture propagation which ensures disease-free planting stock.

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• Standard delivery time is 3-7 business days.
• Easy 30 day returns or exchanges.

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