Jul 16
2008
To Pick or Not to Pick…
See these lovely wild blackberries?
We have rows and rows of these bushes all along our very long driveway.
Here’s the problem. I have never, ever been able to pick these berries without contracting a poison ivy rash. I’m not just talk about a “little itching” rash. I am talking about a livid, oozing, burning, put-your-life-on-hold-for-a-month rash that requires medical intervention with strong drugs.
Do the berries still look enticing? Not so much to me.
Aside from thinking of debilitating poison ivy, I also think of the birds. Berries such as these are a major part of the diet of many of the wild birds. Taking food out of the mouths of little birds (while simultaneously carousing with poison ivy) just seems wrong.
So forgive me if I take a pass at these berries. Of course, if you’re my way and want to bring a bucket, you’re more than welcome to help yourself to as many as you want. I’ll even throw in my doctor’s phone number.
July 16th, 2008 at 9:45 am
After all the plurk PI comments I feel very generous to the birds…maybe that’s one reason PI exists.
July 16th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Mother Nature has a warped sense of humor. :)
July 16th, 2008 at 9:55 am
I always associate blackberry picking with chiggers. I vote to leave these to the birds and find a nice spot in your garden to plant a named variety of blackberries. There are some that are even thornless. Then, everybody eats!
July 16th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
We moved a bunch of our blackberries since we had poison ivy growing up amongst it also. That was a hard, thankless task.
July 16th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
OHH-No, don’t get a itchy burning rash again–you got too much to do! The birdies will be thankful.
July 16th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Unfortunately you got poison ivy anyway. Sucks it does.~~Dee
You’re right. I do have it again.
There is one particular bed in the Colonial garden where I know that poison ivy is hiding. I can’t ignore the bed altogether. I try to be careful. See where that gets me.
Robin at Bumblebee
July 19th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Wear gloves?
July 31st, 2008 at 7:24 am
Try Tecnu. Within two hours of exposure, rub it all over your hands, arms, any exposed skin, leave it on 2 minutes, rinse off with cool water, and gently dry skin. In my experience, it prevents the rash. (And I have no connection to the company. Can’t even tell you who makes it. Don’t use it now that I’m an urban gardener, but did when I was rural.)