John M

Thornless blackberry bushes don’t strictly need a trellis, but they will grow much better and produce more fruit if you give them one.   The truth is, thornless blackberry bushes are still blackberry plants at heart, and that means they have long, sprawling canes that love to wander.   Without some sort of support, those … Read more

Yes, skunks eat blackberries, and they actually enjoy them as part of their natural diet.   If you’ve ever wondered “do skunks eat blackberries,” the answer is a resounding yes.   These nocturnal critters are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter, and blackberries fit perfectly into their menu.   So if you … Read more

Do snakes like blackberry bushes? Yes, snakes like blackberry bushes, and these thorny plants can be surprisingly attractive to them for a few key reasons.   If you’ve ever spotted a snake slithering near a wild patch of berries, you might have wondered whether snakes like blackberry bushes or if it was just a coincidence. … Read more

Rattlesnakes do not eat blackberries, because they are obligate carnivores whose bodies are built entirely for hunting and digesting prey.   If you’ve ever wondered whether a rattlesnake would nibble on wild berries, the answer is a firm no.   These snakes are strict meat-eaters, and fruit simply isn’t part of their natural diet.   … Read more

Raspberries do spread, and yes, they spread a lot like blackberries in many ways.   Both are creeping perennial plants that send out long stems and root suckers to colonize new ground.   So if you’ve been wondering do raspberries spread like blackberries, the short answer is: yes, they do, though there are a few … Read more

Raspberries and blackberries like acidic soil, and they actually thrive best when the soil pH sits somewhere between 5.5 and 6.5.   That slightly sour, acidic range is where these brambles feel most at home, and it’s the sweet spot that keeps their roots happy and their canes productive.   If you’ve ever wondered, “do … Read more