Blackberry Plants ... A Nuisance?

Many of us love the idea of having blackberry plants on our property but the plants often come with some unwanted attributes. Some people end up finding blackberry plants to be more of a nuisance than a blessing. Here are some things to consider before planting or harvesting this type of plant.

There are different types of blackberry plants. Some are quite beautiful and boast lovely pink flowers that are about one inch in diameter. This variety offers sweet, black fruit that is marvelous to taste when they are ripe. This is what we commonly associate with blackberry plants.

However, not all blackberry plants are created equal. Some are thorny and some have awkward vines that are tough and difficult to cope with. Some of these plants die off every year and sprout again in the springtime while others are evergreen and seem to be an affliction to the yard all year long.

The blackberry plants that grow on thick vines are very difficult to manage and they easily get out of control. These invasive vines choke out other vegetation in the area. Existing competitors for sun and water are gradually smothered out of existence under the oppressive vines.

The thorny stems that protrude from this nuisance in the garden can quickly grow out of control and block you from reaching parts of your yard. This tangled mess can become a cause of possible injury to you and your pets. Worse yet, the vines provide the ideal shelter for rats and snakes. Neither of which is welcome in most people’s yards.

Blackberry plants do provide food for many animals including human beings. This vegetation grows quickly and can spread over a large area in relatively little time. However this can make the wild blackberry plants too much to endure for many homeowners.

In addition, this vegetation can live for over 25 years. Not only do the blackberry plants become larger and larger, they also spawn new vegetation that spreads just as quickly and lives just as long. These invasive growths are a true nuisance to the average yard.

One of the problems with vine-centered blackberry plants is that people commonly can not harvest the berries when they are ripe because so many other animals and birds get to the fruit before it is fully ripened. The ones that do reach their fullest potential are often out of reach.

Getting rid of blackberry plants is not an easy task, either. These stubborn growths are difficult to weed out and usually take a combination of chemicals and repeated tilling before they disappear.

Here is an additional article from the University of California about wild blackberry plants as a nuisance: Wild Blackberries

Here is a product from Amazon To Get Rid of Blackberry Plants

I hope you enjoyed this article about Blackberry Plants ... A Nuisance?