I grew up in blackberry country. Here in the desert, it’s hard to keep blackberries thriving during the hot summer.
Every now and then, we decide to try again.
Last year, we planted one boysenberry and two blackberry vines. The boysenberry, which was heavy with fruit, didn’t make it through the summer. Even its berries wizened into dry, hard nuts.
But the blackberry vines grew in the shade beneath the Texas crossvines. We even harvested a few berries.
This year, I feel hopeful about the succulent new growth at the base of each vine. Keeping my fingers crossed for berries!
Seeds of the Desert 