I own property adjacent to the woods, and wild raspberries are spreading into my yard, particularly around the playground. These thorny plants are becoming a real issue, making it challenging to maintain the area. I've tried using a weed whip, but they keep coming back. I want to stop them from invading the wood chips where my kids play without using harmful chemicals due to safety concerns for both the kids and local wildlife. I'm not looking to get rid of them entirely since they benefit the wildlife, just to manage their presence in my playground. Any tips would be greatly appreciated! I'm located in the northern Midwest of the US, if that helps.
3 Answers
One method you could try is cutting the stems back and using a concentrated herbicide on the stubs. This reduces the need for wide area spraying and targets the plants directly. Just remember, it might take a few attempts to see a real difference, and you could still have some regrowth from seeds for a while. But hang in there! Once the larger plants are handled, younger ones are usually easier to pull out by hand.
You might want to consider getting a brush hog if you can use one. It's particularly effective for letting you tackle those wild raspberries without too much hassle. Just keep an eye out for your chain link fence, though!
I actually have a weed whip with a blade that’s been really effective for me—just be careful with what you're near!
Your main options are pulling them out or using a herbicide. If you're considering a barrier, fencing or thick mulch could help stop the runners from taking over the playground area during your landscaping redo. It’d be an alternative route for you to consider!
What kind of barrier do you think would be effective? I’m open to options while I’m working on the landscaping.
Thanks for the tip! I’ll definitely explore this option further.