Blackberry picking plans

http://www.tams.act.gov.au/parks-recreation/plants_and_animals/invasive_species/managing_invasive_weeds/information_on_invasive_plants/blackberry

It’s not likely you’re going to eat some sprayed berries – If they’ve been sprayed, you’ll notice.

You could meet your sister halfway(-ish) – where the road to Bathurst crosses the Abercrombie there used to be plenty of blackberries (and on surrounding properties).

Your basic strategy should be to ignore berries unless they are growing in gullies or creek banks. Too little water and all you get is a mouthful of seed-grit.

As for those suggesting you’ll be better off if they come wrapped in plastic – pish!

Queen_of_the_Bun said :

They are hard to find these days, best go for an android or iPhone.

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We stopped picking ANYWHERE years ago because the blackberries can look perfect for ages despite being sprayed. And blackberries in isolated spots get sprayed. If they are on a large property (and lots of properties outside Canberra are over 20,000 acres) you may not find the homestead easily, or the owner at home to ask.

They are hard to find these days, best go for an android or iPhone.

Your best bet is to get far off the beaten track. We drive well into the bush and then quite often go for a decent walk away from the car.

Anywhere that is frequented by the public (Cotter/Tidbinbilla/Googong) will be sprayed. Most areas of Namagi and the Brindies that are easily accessible by car will be sprayed.

If the leaves are yellowed and/or the fruit shrivelling then that is a good sign it has been sprayed. However, not seeing those signs is not a sign it is safe. It may have been done recently and not started to die off.

I have a few select spots I go to but they are not large and if you go there then there won’t be any left for me.

The safest bet is on private property, with the owners consent of course.

read this too! http://tansysgarden.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/blackberry-picking-in-canberra.html

Yep, what molongloid said. You can see from this list on a recent ABC story as well http://blogs.abc.net.au/canberra/2011/03/where-blackberries-are-sprayed-in-the-act.html?site=canberra&program=canberra_drive that most of the parks (including national parks) cop a spray as well. Might be safer to buy it somewhere cheap like from a farm that sells it direct to the public?

In case you’re looking at places other than berry farms… Blackberry is a Weed of National Significance and as such is managed through clearing and spraying. If you intend to pick regardless then please confirm with the land owner, or for public land research spraying periods, chemicals used and their half-lives, toxicity etc and pay attention to signs. For the ACT see http://goo.gl/6O0nFZ for details.