Garden question: if I compost BlackBerry vines will I have thorny compost

[mariadnoca]

Those thorns are deadly sharp, will they break down or will I turn my compost into something full of razor blades?

 

[charley]

Google has a lot of info, mostly seeming to say you need to run your mower over them

a lot to make them small--and then use as a mulch.

 

[judy-mass]

Can you shred them?

We run branches and tough stems through the shredder before tossing them onto the compost heap.

 

[mariadnoca]

I couldn't mow or anything these are big canes like rosebushes. Except the thorns are much worse.

 

[marilynfl]

I would have NEVER thought of that. I assumed DEAD = DECAYING = DECOMPOSING

 

[joe]

If you compost them while they are still green they will break down, and the thorns

will lose their sharpness. If they are dry and hard they may be more stubborn.

 

[mistral]

Yes, if dry, very thorny, hard to compost (unless shredded). (nt)

 

[marilynfl]

Geez, you just described my MIL.

 

[barb_b]

OMG... That was my laugh for the evening!