Friday, July 31, 2009

A weed that can stay - for a while



The definition of a weed is any plant growing where you don't want it. And this blackberry bush, which is taking over the hydrangea, has definitely got to go. But maybe not quite yet. Maybe I'll wait until all the fruit has matured before I attack it.

Not that I have much hope of doing anything definitive. This will be about the fifth time I've tried to get rid of it. I cut it right back, dig out what I can of the roots - but when I come back after a year or two, there it is again. Does voodoo work on plants I wonder? Perhaps if I take a bit of the stem and stick pins in it ...

But for the next few weeks, while it goes on producing blackberries for tea, it can stay.



Blackberries grow wild in the woods and parks around here, and when I was a child late July and August was always blackberrying time. Walking through the park behind the garden today, which is in part left to grow wild as a nature reserve, I saw plenty of families carrying on the tradition. Quite a lot of people round here will have had blackberries for dessert tonight.

If you are worried about maggots incidentally, just pop the berries into some salty water for a while. The maggots will zoom out. If you're like me, you them rescue them, wash them off, and put them back on the plant - but I leave that up to you. Obviously you need to rinse the berries well before eating them - they're wonderful with cream.


So if you're wondering what to do with the kids these holidays, make a picnic, head for the woods - and enjoy.


9 comments:

Jan said...

You wash the maggots and put them back on the plant???!!!! That's taking been kind too far!

Lots of blackberries round the lanes here too, but no good to eat as they've not had any water and are very small, hard and pippy!

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Sue .. the maggot thing ? eeuuuwwww ! But the blackberries look wonderful I have to admit : )
I did a post for you about the Ottawa River UFO incident last Monday night .. and I might say my questionable pictures (I never saw those objects in them when I took the pictures .. I was trying for a nice sky picture with sunrise that wasn't cooperating ? haha)
Joy
PS .. increased sightings of UFOs happening every where ;-)

Anonymous said...

Yummm! I love blackberries! Interesting that you've got one growing sporadically in your yard! I just got back from vacation (Yellowstone, Montana), so I've got some blogs to catch up on. Looks like you've got some fun posts! I just blogged about my trip.

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

Hurray for blackberries!

Chandramouli S said...

LOL! For a moment, I thought, 'Whoa! Blackberry-like fruits borne by Hydrangea! That's exotic!' LOL.

I've always wanted to grow blackberries, blueberries, and all sorts of 'em. Someday...

Front Yard Landscaping said...

Now is blackberries time, thanks for sharing your posting.

Carrie said...

You know we love them so much we actually bought a plant and put it in the plot, even though the field is surrounded by them!!! Actually Carrick (where I live) is surrounded by them. I was too slow last year and loads of gorgeous friut was lost to me by other women (they obviously live behind the lottie and were waiting to pounce). But this year I'm ready!!

I'm over looking the maggot part - gross and I've just had breakfast.

Dot said...

That's a great tip about putting the berries in salty water. I'm always a bit finicky and check each one before I pop them in my mouth. Can't say I'd be rescuing any maggots myself but I applaud you for your kindness and patience =)

Kathy said...

Hi Sue,

I can across one of your posts at this site http://www.gardeningrealm.com/a-weed-that-can-stay-for-a-while/

They have been copying many of my blog posts and I'm trying to have my material removed from their site. Thought you'd like to know that yours is their too.

Kathy
Skippy's Vegetable Garden blog

Related Posts with Thumbnails