28/09/2026
🌿 SLASH FIRST, SPRAY SMART
Got a dense blackberry thicket? Don’t just spray into the tangle. Best practice can be to physically knock it back first, then follow up with herbicide.
Step 1: Slash, mulch or physically clear
Open up the thicket to improve access and reduce the amount of herbicide needed.
Step 2: Let it regrow
Wait for new canes to shoot at least 50cm and develop enough leaf area. This makes the plant vulnerable to a systemic herbicide.
Step 3: Spray the regrowth
Apply a registered woody-w**d herbicide when blackberry is actively growing. In Victoria, the key window is late spring to autumn. If you slash in spring/early summer, aim to spray the regrowth in late summer/autumn.
Step 4: Monitor and retreat
Slashing alone won’t kill blackberry and it can stimulate regrowth if you don’t follow up. Expect to monitor and retreat for at least 3 years.
⚠️ Tips:
• Avoid slashing when berries are present.
• Clean equipment between sites to reduce spread.
• Check local regulations, especially near waterways.
• Always read the herbicide label and follow safety directions.
Check our website resources and case studies
👉 vicblackberrytaskforce.com.au
**dControl
