I just picked blackberries from my own garden - is that bad?

[wem]

We moved a year ago to a house that needed a lot of work. We've concentrated on the internal bits and basically ignored the garden (the crappy weather this summer hasn't helped). As a result, the garden has run completely wild.

Yesterday, DH noticed some lovely ripe blackberries along one fence while out mowing the lawn (which has also happened v infrequently). I've been out to pick them this morning, which I rather enjoyed, as long as I put the blinkers on to the rest of the garden. Not looking forward to finally sorting it out...

[CommutingMumfromKent]

We've lived in our house for four years and there are still blackberries in the garden. Maybe even more than when we moved in, think we bit off more than we could chew. Still got loads to do inside, but can't afford to do it, and stinging nettles and brambles reign supreme in garden except for some good vegetables forcing their way past the weeds bravely.

But think of how green you're being, no food miles, no carbon emissions, and delicious!

[ChippyMinton]

Bad? No! I've deliberately let a blackberry bush invade my garden to get my own supply.

[wem]

oh good, glad I'm not alone. And yes, very green. I think I'll claim I'm cultivating them for that very reason

[solidgoldbrass]

No, I cultivate the brambles in the garden for exactly that reason. Blackberries are lovely and DS adores picking them.

[wem]

Ah, x-posts. That's excellent. Shall enjoy the blackberries with a clear conscience. Now if I could find an excuse for the rest of the garden - good for wildlife?

[Habbibu]

Why would it be bad? Just discovered that the bramble we've been sneaking berries from is in fact our and not our neighbours, so we are going nuts for it. May even plant another one.

[Imnotok]

The dc picked loads last week from the garden and sneaked onto the neighbours and got theres

[Habbibu]

Wildlife is a pretty good excuse, I reckon - teh back of our garden used to be a railway cutting, and so is quite a steep bank. It's pretty wild, with some trees and generally wilderness, and the birds and insects love it.

[wem]

Don't know really Habbibu, suppose I'm just feeling general shame for the state of the garden. Brambles aren't the prettiest tho are they. If we'd have been paying attention we probably would have got rid of them a while ago. Glad we didn't now.

[Habbibu]

No, they're not pretty, but the fruit is so great, and I love having a "productive" garden. I don't know if you can "tame" them or restrict them (on canes, or a fence) in some way - should cut mine back this winter, I suppose. Little steps with the rest of the garden, I reckon - it is good for wildlife, as it is...