FREE Desert Blackberry plants in Mesa

[Boarman03]

If you would like to try and grow your own desert blackberries, give me a holler and we'll arrange a time for you to come dig up some starters. I've been growing them for years and they do very well with irrigation and proper planting.

These blackberries ripen in May in the Phoenix metro area.

I'm in Mesa near Bass Pro, closer to the Mesa Cemetery. 

Post your interest if my inbox gets full.

[PRDATR]

They are taking over. LOL. Can they be transplanted Russ?

[Boarman03]

54 minutes ago, PRDATR said:

They are taking over. LOL. Can they be transplanted Russ?

 

They are not taking over. The runners are very good for transplanting at this time of year. Thus the offer. I don't need to do it, but if a member wants some they may have some. It's actually a time sink for me. Doesn't help me in any way.

One member just picked some up. Nearly all of mine I've transplanted from an original source on my property. I now have over 900 to 1,000 linear feet of blackberry bushes. Best fresh blackberries that ripen the second week in May.

So, if someone would like to grow some, they take a lot of water, I will give them some. Just get a hold of me, bring a shovel and the work begins, but the reward is sweet!

 

 

 

[My Rights As An American]

I would be interested in 5-7 plants if you have that many. Thanks!

[Boarman03]

1 hour ago, My Rights As An American said:

I would be interested in 5-7 plants if you have that many. Thanks!

Bring your shovel and your kids. I have more than enough for most everyone. I'll be mowing them down in about 3 weeks. But right now is the right time to transplant.

[Jimmer Negamanee]

Generous offer, Boarman.  About how tall is a mature desert blackberry plant?  Thanks.

[PRDATR]

55 minutes ago, Jimmer Negamanee said:

Generous offer, Boarman.  About how tall is a mature desert blackberry plant?  Thanks.

Some look to be 5ft+.

 

 

[Roofer Billy]

They definitely are worth getting. I've eaten Blackberries picked from Russe's plants. My Dad and Grandma made jam with them. Mmmm

[Boarman03]

13 minutes ago, PRDATR said:

Some look to be 5ft+.

 

 

Pretty good answer. You've been reading about it  and or peaking as you pass by.

1 hour ago, Jimmer Negamanee said:

Generous offer, Boarman.  About how tall is a mature desert blackberry plant?  Thanks.

My answer is that the plants growing on my 4 feet high chainlink fence at times reach 7 to 8 feet high,and are about 4 feet wide, as I can pick on both sides. They are about 16 years old.  I gave a bunch to St Vincent's near Broadway and Center in Mesa for their Garden and in two years the main garden lady had them about 7 feet high and 2 feet wide off of their 8 feet high block wall! She is an exceptional gardener and does everything pretty much organically! A good person to talk to!

I have about 500 feet of 8 feet high chainlink at the Orange Grove that I planted just about two years ago and I've got parts as high as 1 foot above the fence but only about 3 Feet wide with both sides accessable.

I planted mine with 75% manure and 25% dirt mix and only about 1 foot wide by 1 foot deep hole, two feet apart, over the roughly 500 feet of 8 feet high fence. The bushes are very thorny and should help keep the vagrants from cutting through my fence and "camping" .

I support St Vincent's but not the druggie bums whom refuse to go live in the shelters where drugs aren't allowed and destroy my property and leave lots of trash and literal crap around! ANYONE or ANYTHING that destroys my property obviously is NOT welcome EVER. Pests get destroyed and eventually the humans get arrested and charged! I'm patient.🤣

Right now, for the most part, the fence and black berries are working at the Grove and at my main house. Hidden cameras are working there and at other places, as a couple of people recently found out! Just a different type of hunting!🤣

So you good and great people on Coues, yes even those that may not like me, are welcome to come and I'll even let you pick the berries for free in May when they ripen. Maybe we should have a CouesWhitetail get together then?

All others that are not on Coues, or that I don't know, and obviously the bad people (and there are a couple on Coues that I know), are not and will not be welcome, unless specifically granted permission.

 

 

 

[PRDATR]

HaHa. Since I live in the NeighborHOOD I pass your place pretty often. I've always had a green thumb. Gardening is a lot like cooking, read, Read and READ some more. Look for some commonalities go for it. 

[bowhunter-tw]

Thanks Russ! Got mine in the ground last night! We’ll see if I can keep them alive!

[Boarman03]

On 1/18/2026 at 2:54 PM, bowhunter-tw said:

Thanks Russ! Got mine in the ground last night! We’ll see if I can keep them alive!

Water them really heavily for a couple of weeks. Then back off to once a week a very deep soak.