Blackberry Kill Zone!

This weekend Kyle and I tackled the blackberry vines that were taking over our ivy bank. I know what you are thinking - an invasive species growing over another invasive species...oh yeah...and they are both thriving. At the end of our mostly flat yard, we have a slope that goes down about 10 feet down to the fence line. It is a steep slope that is held in place by what I would guess is 30+ year old ivy. As much as I hate ivy, it does a good job holding the earth in place. But blackberry vines tangled with the ivy and random horsetails coming through both - now that makes me crazy.

I did a bunch of research on killing blackberry vines, and besides adopting a few goats, pesticides were what everyone said produced the kill. I really really did not want to use anything toxic in the yard because of Luna our pup and I strongly dislike using toxic chemicals. After talking for about 20 minutes with a wonderful earth loving vegetarian at our local nursery, he convinced me that painting on the pesticide to the newly cut vines instead of spraying it, was the best way to target the pesticide and avoid contamination.

Armed with my gloves, goggles, paintbrush, old plastic container, jeans, and long sleeve shirt - I was ready to kill some blackberries. It was a hot weekend and with our winter attire on, we were only able to work a few hours in the morning and a few hours at night, but we finally finished around 9 tonight! 

Here are a few before and after pictures:

 Before: Horsetails taking over

 Before: weeds and blackberries everywhere!

 Before: Blackberries tangled all over

 Before: Get ready to die blackberries!

 During: This was 24 hours after painting this blackberry stalk - black stem!

 After: Only ivy...ahhhh...just one crazy invasive species

 After

 After

Stress Relief In The Garden

We have spent so much time working inside our house that it feels great to go outside and get dirty. I have had a lot of fun building our raised beds, planting veggies, and making the garden my own. When the mountain on inside projects is wearing me down - the garden tends to be my stress reliever and hey - a little sunshine never hurts!


Here are a few pictures of re-purposed broken pots and an old milk crate that I have made into fun garden art.

 Broken pot with succulents. 

Hopefully they will grow quickly and look like they are spilling out.

 River created with broken pot and green river rocks

Milk crate pot holder

It has also been fun to see what is popping up in the garden. The Shasta daisies and hostas are out and it looks like we are going to have some blueberries! The raised beds are also taking off with the peas and zucchini plants in bloom.

Shasta daisies

 Bloomin' hostas

 Blueberries...come on and ripen already!

 Sugar Snap Pea Blossoms

 "Baby" zucchini plant taking over the raised beds