taking out blackberry brambles

[ppfuf]

Somebody, but lord help me if I can remember who, asked me about blackberry removal. learnteach's recent post reminded me. Normally I'd say trim the vines back as far as you can and dig out the rootballs. However, if you are looking for the nuke-it-from-orbit option, you need to get a bottle of Ortho BrushBeGone. It's really nasty shit, so follow the directions carefully, make sure there's no wind and wear gloves. You can get bottles of it at places like OSH or Home Despot, but have a plan on how you are going to get it home. Layer in several bags, or put it in an old bucket. Buy the smallest amount you can, you don't need much and your city might not let you put it in the trash.

Comments

[ppfuf.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, now I remember. You'd found a unicorn horn for the next PPF. I'll send you some email about that later. Thanks!

[kareina.livejournal.com]

I have heard that pouring boiling water over the roots is a good way to get rid of blackberry, if you have any reason not to be using the poison, but I haven't tried it.

The folks down here in Tasmania just chain a goat to it, and it is soon gone and digested, thorns and all.

[ppfuf.livejournal.com]

Do the goats pull up the rootballs while eating? They must have very tough lips to eat blackberry vines.

[kareina.livejournal.com]

I *think* that the goats simply keep their lips out of the way whilst chewing on the vines. I haven't actually watched them doing this, but I have seen the difference between one visit to a friend and another months later. The before and after are quite astounding, really. However, I don't know if they manage to get the roots too, so I don't know if the vines will just come back when the goat is moved on to greener pastures. However, I suspect that if you followed up the goat treatment with the boiling water treatment, they'd be gone for good!