Blackberries?

WA1215

I live in Zone 6a.  Does anyone know a website that would help me decide on a specific variety, or any insight themselves on blackberries?

I have never grown them before and don't know where to start. 

CDMay2006

Your name makes me think you're in Wa... 6a means Eastern Wa.  I don't know what blackberries grow in that climate; it may be the same as on this side of the mtns...  I do know that several varieties are considered noxious weeds in Wa and you can be fined for having them on your property.  Here is a WSU Extension guide to blackberries http://kitsap.wsu.edu/hort/pdf_MGfiles/BlackberriesInWesternWashington.pdf and WS State guide to noxious weeds http://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weed_list/2009%20Proposals/2009_weed_list_summary.htm . 

WA1215

CDMay2006:

Your name makes me think you're in Wa... 6a means Eastern Wa.  I don't know what blackberries grow in that climate; it may be the same as on this side of the mtns...  I do know that several varieties are considered noxious weeds in Wa and you can be fined for having them on your property.  Here is a WSU Extension guide to blackberries http://kitsap.wsu.edu/hort/pdf_MGfiles/BlackberriesInWesternWashington.pdf and WS State guide to noxious weeds http://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weed_list/2009%20Proposals/2009_weed_list_summary.htm . 

Sorry, I should have mentioned.  I live in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

FoxinFiji

Are sure blackberries aren't common in your area?  I'm in southern WI and we have them is most wooded areas.  They can be hard to get rid of so I'm sure if you volunteered to come dig some up in someone yard they'd be happy to let you.  If you weren't so far away you could come get some of mine. 

WA1215

FoxinFiji:

Are sure blackberries aren't common in your area?  I'm in southern WI and we have them is most wooded areas.  They can be hard to get rid of so I'm sure if you volunteered to come dig some up in someone yard they'd be happy to let you.  If you weren't so far away you could come get some of mine. 

My Dad says when he was a kid, he remembers picking wild blackberries (but his Mom was always afraid of the kids getting ahold of poisonous ones).  

Unfortunately I live right outside the city, I have never seen a blackberry bush before.  I dont have any woods near me.

Do they multiply and grow rampant?

And thanks for the offer  

FoxinFiji

Wild blackberries are not poisonous. 

They aren't actually a bush just a long sweeping cane with thorns on them.  When they are ripe in the summer you wear heavy jeans and long sleeves to pick them because you'll be pushing through the thorny plants waist high.  I think you can buy certain cultivators that are thornless though.  I'd check with your local nursery.  Many nurseries carry berry "bushes."

They spread in our area but aren't rampant probably because of our harsh winters.  Raspberries for example spread a lot faster.  Either way I'd try to contain them somehow or put them in an area you are OK if they take over.

rubyiu

Blackberries can grow rampant. I have 9 bushes in my berry patch and you have to cut them totally down every year. Even with doing that, they produce about 60-75 pints of berries a year (total, not each bush)!!