Blackberry Bushes

Next time you are out on a hike keep your eyes opened for blackberry bushes.  Blackberry bushes are easy to spot once you have identified them.  Their most identifiable trait is the thorns that extend from their branches.  It is important to remember where you have seen the blackberry bushes so that you can pick the wonderful berries that they produce.  The berries usually ripen on the blackberry bushes in late summer.  They blossom with fragrant white flowers in the spring.  Blackberry bushes are located throughout all of North America.  They produce the best berries when located in the full sun, however you can find them located in shady areas also.

... Although wild blackberry bushes produce smaller berries ...

Blackberry bushes can usually be found close to raspberry bushes in the wild.  Although wild blackberry bushes produce smaller berries than the blackberry bushes you plant from a nursery, the wild berries are usually more flavorful.  It is important to watch for poison ivy which often grows in the same areas as blackberry bushes.  Poison Ivy rash is the price that many berry pickers pay when trying to harvest the berries.

The location of wild blackberry bushes were marked and remembered by the Native Americans so that they could harvest them each year.  They used the berries to eat, but they also used them to dye animal hides to create a richer darker color.

... The berries were especially used for respiratory ailments and coughing ...

The early settlers used the fruit from blackberry bushes to cure many ailments.  The berries were especially used for respiratory ailments and coughing.  Blackberries are also used to produce a rich colored sweet wine by many people that like to produce home made wines.  The overall favorite use for these sweet delicious berries is blackberry jam.  They also make a delicious pie, if you do not mind the seeds.

Many of us love the idea of having blackberry plants on our property but these plants often come with many unwanted companions. Some people find the blackberry plants to be more of a nuisance than a blessing. There are some things to consider before planting or harvesting this type of plant.

... picking blackberries is a task that requires wearing a long sleeved shirt ...

If you are thinking of placing blackberry bushes on your property it is best to place them along the perimeter where there is not a lot of traffic.  This is to avoid getting scratched by the sharp long thorns.  The blackberry bushes should be pruned after they are done producing fruit they should be trimmed back to about 18 inches above the ground.  Trimming the blackberry bushes is done to prevent them from getting the taller runners that tend to have more thorns than berries on them.  If you are going to plant several blackberry bushes make sure to allow for picking so that you do not get too scratched when picking the berries.  Regardless of how close the bushes are to each other picking blackberries is a task that requires wearing a long sleeved shirt.  The blackberry bushes also have an extensive life span so you will want to keep this in mind when choosing a location to place them.

There are different types of blackberry plants. Some are quite beautiful and boast lovely pink flowers that span 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 of these plants are created equal. Some are thorny and some have awkward vines that are tough and difficult to access. Some of these plants die off every year and sprout again in the springtime while others are evergreen and plague the yard all year long.

... invasive vines choke out other vegetation in the area ...

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 is 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 yards.

... vegetation grows quickly and it can spread over a large area in relatively little time ...

Blackberry plants do provide food for many animals including human beings. This vegetation grows quickly and it can spread over a large area in relatively little time. 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 people commonly can not reach 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.