I would so much love to plant milkweed, been wanting to for a while. I have two acres in Oregon and I know this is prime area for monarchs. But here's my dilemma - I have a massive blackberry invasion. I keep the field mowed but blackberries are just beneath the surface all over the place even near the house. Is there a solution to grow milkweed without the interference of blackberry bushes? Can I grow them in pots? All advice is accepted. Thanks.
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.I would dig the blackberries out of ~3' diameter holes, scattered wherever. Sow the milkweed seed in the fall. Cover loosely with straw. Don't mow these circles in the spring, but mow the rest of the blackberries (if you choose). The blackberries will spread into these circles but not before the milkweed has a chance to grow and seed. Blackberry roots are pretty deep and milkweed roots are not so deep, so they should work fine together. You will even have some blackberries around the 4th of July. You can also prune blackberries to around 4' to keep them a bit more manageable.
AstralSmoke
Level 8
May 29, 2018
4
Helpful! Thanks!
@hereinwhoseville You might even be able to do it by cutting the blackberries off and raking the ground. No digging!
not an answer about milkweed but I wonder if goats would help cut back on the blackberries
btroje
Level 9
May 28, 2018
3
Goats would definitely help but fencing is my holdup there. Something to work on. Goats are the most amazing! Great fertilizer too.
@hereinwhoseville I have lived in places where people rent them for brush clearing. THey may stay with them while they work
Here is a link to an article about native milkweed plants in Oregon:
MikeEC
Level 7
May 28, 2018
3
Thanks so much.
I grow common milkweed in pots. Because this type of milkweed has a long taproot, it is better to use a tall narrow pot as opposed to a wide, shallow one.
Growing milkweed in pots has a of advantages. One is that you can place it right in among the flowers where the monarchs pollinate. Secondly, a single plant in a pot is much easier to keep pest free.
Here is a link to an article:
MikeEC
Level 7
May 28, 2018
5
Thanks for the links.
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