Well, I finally had time to do a bit of research on the blackberry challenge. The goal was to develop a control strategy to keep the blackberries in the wild areas off of the property. To do the research, I did several searches on topics around blackberries and dug through the list of websites that I will list at the end of this. How do you deal with this thorny issue? Leave a comment. The short answer I came up with is a 3 part strategy: 1) Remove the plants and the roots. 2) Cut the plants as soon as they pop up. 3) Create a barrier to prevent further invasion. So in detail: Step 1) During the blackberry's dormancy period, cut back all of the canes from where you want to remove the blackberries. Dig up as many of the roots as you can find. You will not get all the roots, so Step 2 is critical. I did this in November as part of the fall work to get the area ready for next spring. Step) Cut any regrowth to the ground as soon as it pops up. There are several methods for doing this. This depletes the energy in the remaining roots and they eventually die. Weekly mowing and clipping works. Goats and hogs are good at keeping the blackberries cut back if you are in a place that you can use them. If you are tilling the area, till as soon as you see growth. This too depletes the energy from the roots. 3) Long term, create a barrier to keep the blackberries from coming back. There are several barriers that have some success, but no matter which you choose, the blackberries will have to be monitored. Blackberry roots can be as deep as 2 feet and spread easily 2 to 3 feet and sometimes farther. A graze strip is a very effective method of control. A firm, thick barrier that covers the ground for about 3 feet helps. A vertical barrier is somewhat effective as well. This should be almost 2 feet deep to be most effective. Blackberries can be a tough challenge, but there are ways of tackling them. This information came from: Oregon State University permies.com

Just for full disclosure, I love blackberries. I love to forage for them when they are OUT of the garden space. They are tasty and oh so healthy. But there is a scrubby area just off of the property where I am designing a permaculture food system. Blackberries spread through runners and are invading the garden space. So today's Stump Auntie Vicky: Figure out how to manage the invasion of the blackberries. The challenge: They are coming in from a "city owned" space that is unmanaged. The property owner has physical limitations that do not allow intensive management of invaders. The process: As a part of the clean up and prep for fencing, I will be cutting back the blackberries and digging out as much root as I can. (They are medicinal, so I will be using them.) Over the next few weeks, I will be researching management techniques that hopefully will keep the blackberries in the wild areas where they contribute to the abundance of the area without becoming a management problem. The Question: Can I develop a win-win plan? Or do I owe the owner of the property a STUMP AUNTIE VICKY prize? Put your 2 cents worth in the comments. Check back to find out the results.

This has been a challenging year in the outside garden. One of the biggest challenges that everyone in this area is having is with stubborn tomatoes. They are setting fruit. They look beautiful. They refuse to ripen. In over 35 years of gardening, I have never seen this. So a bit of digging on the extension service websites gave the answer. Yes, it is the weather. The Guilty Party: The Heat. Tomatoes need temperatures between 65* F and 85* F to develop right The Process: Between 65* F and 85* F, tomatoes develop lycopene and carotene. Two nutrients that make tomatoes so healthy, but they are also required for ripening. The Environmental Mask: In most years this is not a problem because the temperature spikes and comes back to normal or dips and comes back to normal. This year it did not do that. The Solution: This is the hard one, because there are no easy solutions. Start by growing varieties that tolerate your most likely extreme conditions. Keep the soil cool with organic mulch. Give the tomatoes light afternoon shade if needed. We are enjoying the green tomatoes. For the full story, check out the article in the Stump Auntie Vicky section of the classroom. https://www.skool.com/delectable-tiny-gardens-4555/classroom/ab5c3d49?md=2f39a17a575a45859ca16d8ffd16eda3

Manitu here, some people call me Miss Vicky, or Auntie Vicky, so here is the game: Stump Auntie Vicky START by reading the disclaimer and the rules, then Come play in the dirt with me. Here is the deal, I have been in the garden since I could tell the difference between a weed and a vegetable. ----I'm counting on my fingers--- Over 50 years - I grew up with a traditional garden - I fed my own family from a small raised bed garden - I have operated a market garden - For the last 20 or so years, I have been container gardening while traveling from show to show in an RV I don't consider myself to be an expert in the plants or every technique. I promise, It's not that hard to stump Auntie Vicky. I am an expert at resiliency, because I have had to be. That means that I am an expert at: - Doing research and figuring it out - Experimenting without breaking the bank - Making messes and cleaning it up RULES: - It must relate to plants, gardening on a small scale, or tools - I will not give health or treatment advice that you should get from a doctor, herbalist, or other professional - You need to provide any clear photographs that are needed for identification. - My answers are my honest opinion based on my experience and research - One Stump Auntie Vicky question per member per month One winner will be chosen each month from the questions that Stump Auntie Vicky