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["Jim Fruth" <jfruth@tds.net>]

   My Doyle Blackberries are the largest I've ever seen.  The only reason 
I'm getting fruit is because my farm is in a micro-climate area and, though 
everyone around me has had a killing frost, I haven't gotten one yet.  The 
average first frost for this area of zone 3 is September 10th.  Doyle 
blackberries can only withstand a few degrees below 32 F; at 27, the unripe 
berries turn to mush.
   The plants that are bearing are the ones that I covered over the Winter. 
Uncovered plants winter-killed at the snow-line.  Regardless of what the 
sellers claim, the Doyle Thornless Blackberry does produce suckers however 
it is a bit more subdued than other varieties.  As for the advertised 
quantity of fruit a grower can expect, I sincerely doubt my plants will ever 
reach that mark.  When compared with the production of my other (thorned) 
varieties, Doyle is my worst producer but it is fun to be picking 
blackberries in October after everything else has gone dormant for the 
season.

Jim Fruth
Brambleberry Farm
Pequot Lakes, MN  56472
For jams, jellies & syrups:
www.bberryfarm.com
(877)265-6856 [Store]
(218)831-7018 [My Cell]