Can I Use Plywood to Eliminate Blackberries in My Backyard?
Asked by NatureNinja77
I've completely lost control of my backyard to blackberries over the last few years, and due to constant traveling and some physical issues, I can't commit to the usual removal and weeding method. I'm considering cleaning up the area and then covering the whole yard with plywood for a year or two to block sunlight and starve any new growth. Does anyone think this would work? Any advice?
Answers
A coworker had a great idea—hiring goats to munch on their blackberries! While it won't get the roots, if you trim them down first and let the goats do their thing, it might keep things manageable for a while.
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You'll want to start with physical removal and then wait for any new shoots to appear. After that, you can get a selective spray on the leaves. It's a lot of work, but that’s usually how you win this battle. Just be prepared for a long haul!
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I've seen my neighbor use black plastic to kill off grass and weeds for a garden, though I know blackberries are tougher. Maybe you could layer some dark plastic beneath the plywood to help smother them out?
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FarmingFanatic17: Yeah, it's definitely a journey! I tried something similar and found that persistence really pays off in the end.