Topic: brambles... blackberries

[aquilegia]

I get quite a few brambles growing through the fence from the car park over the other side. I've always chopped them back, but I'd actually like to keep some for the fruit (for us and the birds).

Is there any safe way to allow them to grow but without them taking over the whole garden?

(I've been inspired by the blackberry cake recipe!)

[kenkew]

Well, if you start by pegging a few of those runners down into large pots and then cut them from the main plant after they root, you could then move them to a prepared place. If you grow them along wires you can keep them under control without too much difficulty. If you just let them do their own thing then you've just spread the problem.

[aquilegia]

thanks Ken - I'll give it a try.