I've got this large area, roughly 10x15 feet, completely taken over by wild raspberry vines that don't produce much fruit and really choke out my other plants. I've tried pulling them out, but it seems like I can't get all the roots, and they just come back every year. I'm looking for solid recommendations on how to control or eliminate these vines so I can grow something else in that space. Any ideas? Thanks!
3 Answers
You might want to dig a little deeper to get more of the root system out. These things can spread out far under the surface! If your raspberries aren't producing well, it might make sense to get rid of them. But if they're decent, consider keeping them. Regular watering and adding compost can boost their growth, too. We managed to revitalize ours this way after a few years of neglect. Just be sure to keep any new growth under control!
I totally get your struggle! I had a similar issue with wild raspberries. One thing that helped me was cutting them down to the base and then digging out as much of the root as I could. After cutting, I tried putting a bit of salt and vinegar on the tips of the stumps, or you could use a chemical treatment specifically on the cut areas which is less invasive than spraying. Good luck!
Honestly, we just decided to manage our wild raspberry vines instead of eradicating them completely. They can kind of feel like a burden, especially without fruit, but we cut them back every year and stay on top of any new growth. Even tried torching the stubs last fall, but they still come back! Sounds like a hassle, but it's part of our garden routine now—I guess it’s a trade-off.