What is the best way to get rid of an acre of blackberries? - Ask Extension
We have an acre of blackberries in our yard. We have lived here for almost 30 years. We have never used Roundup or Crossbow or any herbicide. We u...
Knowledgebase
What is the best way to get rid of an acre of blackberries? #868531
Asked May 15, 2024, 11:57 AM EDT
We have an acre of blackberries in our yard. We have lived here for almost 30 years. We have never used Roundup or Crossbow or any herbicide. We use a well, and I did not want to use a herbicide when the kids were growing up, but now they are out of the house. We do have access to an excavator so we can remove blackberries with that (we did this before about 10 years ago but they just came back). This time I really want to get rid of them, and can go back with an excavator next year and in the years that follow. My questions is: What are the recommendations of Oregon State University Extension Service? We can use herbicide if one is recommended; I would prefer one though that has as few health questions as possible.
Marion County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi David,
Blackberry can be a nasty beast to get rid of! OSU has a handy resource page that describes your options includes pictures and talks about the effectiveness of each method.
How to Get Rid of Himalayan Blackberry
Controlling Blackberries Article
When it comes to selecting an herbicide, make sure to read the label and apply exactly as the label states and there shouldn't be any problems. That includes applying with no wind and to make sure there isn't rain in the forecast for a while afterward so that it doesn't runoff. The PNW Weed Handbook has up to date information about the chemical options that are available and labeled for blackberry.
PNW Handbook Blackberry
The biggest thing is to manually remove as much as you can and to keep at it long term, it will get easier to manage. You can spray regrowth with an herbicide to keep it down, you want to make sure the regrowth has leaf area so that it will take up the herbicide and be more effective.
If you have follow-up questions, please reach out.
Hayley White
Small Farms Marion & Polk County
Blackberry can be a nasty beast to get rid of! OSU has a handy resource page that describes your options includes pictures and talks about the effectiveness of each method.
How to Get Rid of Himalayan Blackberry
Controlling Blackberries Article
When it comes to selecting an herbicide, make sure to read the label and apply exactly as the label states and there shouldn't be any problems. That includes applying with no wind and to make sure there isn't rain in the forecast for a while afterward so that it doesn't runoff. The PNW Weed Handbook has up to date information about the chemical options that are available and labeled for blackberry.
PNW Handbook Blackberry
The biggest thing is to manually remove as much as you can and to keep at it long term, it will get easier to manage. You can spray regrowth with an herbicide to keep it down, you want to make sure the regrowth has leaf area so that it will take up the herbicide and be more effective.
If you have follow-up questions, please reach out.
Hayley White
Small Farms Marion & Polk County
