Sweetie Pie is sweeter than most other thornless blackberry varieties – it is 10-12% sugar. Excellent flavor in a juicy, black, medium to large sized berry. Sweetie Pie is a winner for home gardens and U-Picks. The Sweetie Pie blackberry cultivar was developed in Mississippi and has been extensively tested in the south and tolerates heat very well. It is a trailing blackberry. Blackberries range from completely self-fruitful to completely self-unfruitful. Most erect blackberries are fruitful yet trailing cultivars often require cross pollination. Reports show that cross pollination results in the highest yields. Care At the end of each year, prune out the floricanes, which were the branches that flowered and fruited that season. The next year, the previous season's primocanes will be floricanes, flowering and fruiting. Although blackberries do well in most soils, deep well drained soils are ideal. Blackberries perform best at a soil pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Growth Habit A moderately fasts grower. Toxicity Blackberries are safe for dogs to eat. They are low in calories and sugar, so you don't have to feel bad about tossing a few of these juicy berries to your pup every once in a while. While they may sample blackberries, they are not typically a primary or consistent food source for deer.