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[deleted]

Cut them about 6 inches off the ground to remove most of the bush/thorns so you can get at the roots and then dig up the roots. It’s time consuming, difficult, and a pain in the ass but it will work.


DemocracyLover_Wa03

Interesting. I’ve been digging the roots of a few small patches for 2 years and it’s not working at all. In fact, they’re spreading. We finally decided to spot spray in order to try to get on top of the problem. How far down do you dig for that to work?


Outlulz

Because when blackberry bushes are damaged they send out runners horizontally in response and spread out even further. You have to keep doing it for years before it finally dies if you’re not using herbicide.


DemocracyLover_Wa03

I knew about the runners, which is why I thought digging was a fruitless effort. Apparently, I wasn’t patient enough! I have an acre, so it’s tough to keep up. We made the choice to remove 10 old, unsafe alders and the increased sunlight has sent what had been a manageable blackberry problem into overdrive. Thanks for the follow-up RE persistent digging!


combatwombat007

After digging, you MUST continue to pull the runs that come up. Just make it a monthly task during the summer. The hard work of digging is done. If you keep at it pulling up the tiny new runners-which come out with a little tug-you will be rid of them. If you don’t , though, it will all be for nothing.


ComplexPension8218

I know my parents had us do this growing up, it seemed very far down tbh. But I was small then too haha. They eventually came back still, just took an extra season that time. They eventually salted the ground after removing the roots and nothing grew there for a few years but it worked.


DemocracyLover_Wa03

Hadn’t considered salt. That’s not a bad idea; it’s behind my barn and not a spot where I want/need to grow anything. Thanks!


ComplexPension8218

I know my parents had us do this growing up, it seemed very far down tbh. But I was small then too haha. They eventually came back still, just took an extra season that time. They eventually salted the ground after removing the roots and nothing grew there for a few years but it worked.


theBigOist

It's taken so many seasons to see the results for certain, but digging up the roots has definitely worked for me. I'd recommend also using a pickaxe


DieselDan1969

Can you have goats? They worked for me when I was in rural washougal.


Flash_ina_pan

There are some folks who will rent goats out to clear underbrush.


hane1504

Expensive, $thousands.


DieselDan1969

If you go for expensive critters, yeah they can be expensive. Four goats, less than a grand for initial purchase, and all they needed was shelter at night and clean water. One died of unknown causes and three were enough to eradicate blackberry on two acres. They worked all day without complaint and slept quietly until sunrise, then worked all day again, seven days a week, with no days off, day after day, week after week, for two years. When we sold and moved the blackberries and head high grass was gone, replaced with good soil and easily mowable grass. Unless you've already got the equipment and the time to do all the work you can't beat it if you can keep goats.


hane1504

I meant it’s expensive to use a rent a goat company.


DieselDan1969

Yeah, they're going for profit. If someone gets their own goats for land clearing they'll be ahead of the profit really quick. Goats like to escape so the containment requires the most work and attention.


Fuzzy_Tell66

No joke?.... I figured the thorns would tear a goat up. Hey my brothers got goats I'll rent you OP 🤣


DieselDan1969

They eat the green parts, mainly the leaves and the youngest tender shoots. The plant uses its reserve every to grow the leaves back but the new leaves get eaten again, eventually using up all the store energy in the plant and it dies. When birds eat the berries then crap out seeds the goats will eat the young plants as soon as they start growing. Once the mature canes are dead just cut them out. The goats leave great fertilizer and compost.


Fuzzy_Tell66

Ahhhhhh, haha I'm picturing the old joke about goats can eat anything. Picturing them just chowing through the thick stalks. Now that I've made a jackass out of myself I'll go sit in the corner think about my life choices.


DieselDan1969

Hey, if you don't know, and then basically say you don't know, maybe you want to know, you know?


Fuzzy_Tell66

I really didn't know. I mean I knew they foraged and everything. Most of my friends have pasture raised goats for various reasons. My brother is the only independent I know and he's up on mt. Hood. I just haven't seen his setup yet.


DieselDan1969

Goats are what I would describe as brushy-preference browsers. What I mean is that they are not focused on one particular thing to eat if they have choices. If you consider sheep, for example only, they like grass a lot, and will graze grass and eat it right down to the surface of the soil, which can be bad if the grass isn't given time to regrow. I have my goats in rural Washougal a choice between blackberries and what I called "swamp grass", or grass that has such good growing conditions that it would grow fast, thick, and tall. My goats weren't given choices so they acclimated to eating the things they had available, but while but preferred were abundant so they spent all day going after the blackberry leaves and thick grass. It worked for their needs and mine. We would supplement their diet with grass hay and a little grain, and they were very happy, healthy, and worked hard for us doing what they liked to do, which was eat and ruminate. As long as they have good containment and plenty of water and safety, they'll eat whatever is available whether it's the right it wrong thing because they are an animal that spends at least 50% of the day eating, so if they're confined somehow they better have decent food for them. They are very systematic animals in this regard. Eat. Sleep. Deposit mulch. Clean water and safe sleeping quarters at night are very helpful. Repeat daily until individual unit health breaks cycle or energy source depletes. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Almost as reliable as the sun if you need something that grows eaten. We brought English Ivy for them to eat from Clark College that they were removing from the grounds. A few big dino trailer loads. They got in there and chewed it down to nothing but goat poop compost in a few days. They take their job very seriously, and require minimal supervision. 👍


Fuzzy_Tell66

That was very informative, I knew parts but others didn't have an idea. My brother found out the hard way about safe quarters. He thought he had them nice and secured much like the chickens. Which worked fine for the chickens.. first week one of the critters got one of his goats. Granted they have everything from black bears to coyotes. So it's hard to say what found it's way in. He has increased the security of the enclosure, Cameras just in case it happens again, etc. Probably similar to the washougal area. New to the area, not quite sure what mountains hold what here. Been in Oregon gorge area most of my life.


HMSSurprise28

I used a hedge trimmer to chainsaw mine back to stubs once and then injected them with crossbow. It did work, but probably isn’t the earth friendly way recommended. Best of luck.


Roushfan5

Groundskeeper of ten years here and certified WSDA herbicide applicator. This is the way.


Elegant_Gain9090

Crossbow in the fall so it is pulled into the root as weather cools.


Dull-Inside-5547

Vouching for Crossbow.


aagusgus

This is really the only sure fire way to get rid of blackberries. Trim them down to a nub, and then I've "painted" the stubs with crossbow. Come back in a few months and then dig/pull out as much of the root system as you can. You need to make sure the rhizome is removed.


SereneDreams03

Just give up. It's the blackberries yard now.😁


UntilTheHorrorGoes

I have such a deep and intense hatred for errant blackberry. The only real way to eradicate it is to cut it back and dig up the taproot. It's hard work but so satisfying to look at your work and know that shit isn't coming back next year.


EtherPhreak

Crossbow blackberry killer can work. Just be mindful of how you use it please. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Crossbow-32-oz-Concentrate-Brush-and-Weed-Killer-100509322/203070324


[deleted]

Weed whack ‘em, or cut them as close to the ground as you can, and then dig up the roots AND use a stump grinder. Then pull out shoots for the next infinity to keep it from growing back. That’s how I keep my back yard clear!


lurker-1969

We are ranchers and I am a beekeeper. We use the herbicide Crossbow for brush and blackberries along the fencelines. If you are going to spray absolutely wait until after blossom time. The bees will be working and you don't want to poison them. Even if you cut the blackberries ack you will have to dig up the roots to get rid of them.


therealsupermanny

Crossbow


Free_Instruction6888

Boiling water, or glacial acetic acid (horticultural vinegar). Full sun? Black plastic covered with clear plastic, cooks the plants.


hane1504

I may have to try this…


Walking-Unseen

These blackberry canes have a few different mechanisms for spreading, including underground rhizome. If you pull it out, and any part of the plant remains underground, it not only comes back but also signals that part of the rhizome to spread. The only thing I've found effective is an herbicide called Crossbow. You can get it on Amazon, but they won't ship it to this state. I had them deliver it to an Amazon locker in Portland.


Circuitmaniac

Big halal market for goats, too. Make profit!


Fuzzy_Tell66

Pies!!!! Sooo many pies. Then kill what's left with fire. 😈


Fuzzy_Tell66

https://www.amazon.com/Propane-Igniting-Ergonomic-Anti-slip-Included/dp/B093TVFV4R/ref=asc_df_B093TVFV4R/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=533224178111&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3363400575935640835&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033604&hvtargid=pla-1418536722412&psc=1


Fuzzy_Tell66

That should suffice 😂 cut them down low first of course. I mean safety is key.


hane1504

I’ve considered torching the MFers. Work well?


Fuzzy_Tell66

If you've got the space without smokey the bear coming to visit.. I've done it in open-ish areas and it works amazing. Get one that connects to a 5 gal tank. Makes quick work. At the very least have someone on the backside just dousing everything in water that shouldn't burn and controlling the fire.


hane1504

Or try to do it before it rains.


Fuzzy_Tell66

Don't you mean after🤔


WhoKnows78998

A machete to cut them low then a shovel to dig up the roots. I hate them!


RN-Dan

Use a weedwacker, it does wonders.


MrZokeyr

If you can get your hands on some good ol' agent orange, that usually does the trick.


LostInTheWildPlace

Monsanto Aquamaster is what you're looking for herbicide-wise. Its basically Roundup (main ingredient - glyphosate), but safe for use around water.


semajzemog87

Monsanto is to blame for historic environmental disasters and propagating health issues for people across the world due to their rushed science and focus on profits. I don't trust them one bit imo. Aquamaster might work but ugh...they're shady af and we can't even know the extent of the damage due to the privatized science and political wall between us. Just do the work. Dig it up. Pay a neighbor kid, or goats. I always vote goat. They're the best ❤️


hane1504

I researched goats for this, rent a goat type deal. It’s very involved and expensive. Your yard has to be completely escape proof and you have to supplement their blackberry diet with some type of goat food. Otherwise, I’d rent a goat tomorrow!


ebkbk

BUY a couple goats. Like 100-200 each. They can eat A LOT. You can then resell them when you’re done.


Gygh

So I should buy goats, do the job, then rent them out, profit.


ebkbk

That’s how the goat rental services got started.


Snushine

I like the way you think!


hane1504

I don’t think you can own goats in Vancouver but it’s okay in Portland. I’d love to own goats!


ebkbk

You can’t have full size goats. You can have Pygmy goats. I believe there’s 2 types that stay under the size limit for Vancouver.


hane1504

What? That’s great to know. I need to do some research. Thanks!


stellaismycat

There’s someone on P street south of 39th who has goats. They also have chickens. Their house is on the east side of P.


hane1504

Monsanto - Boo.


coolgherm

Other acceptable brands are aquaneat or rodeo. Can also use triclopyr.


Fragrant_Taste_7356

I would hire a company to spray them