I live in a cold region, up by Lake Superior in upper Michigan
Often, the question is how to get rid of blackberry bushes!
Research shows you should begin the process of cutting the shoots four to six weeks prior to the last frost date in your area, so it takes a bit of guesswork to do it at the perfect time. Make sure you choose shoots with sturdy stems.
Here's more info on blackberry propagation: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/propagating-blackberries-cuttings.htm
It is fresh growth. I have not cut. No berries on these canes. They are long and spindly.
There are two pruning for blackberries. Once in early Spring, and once in late Summer. This article will explain when, and how, this should be done:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/blackberry-pruning.htm
I want to keep the bushes contained and raised to make them more accessible. I have bare root plants and am thinking about a DIY planting box out of cedar.
The blackberry will flourish in a raised bed. Any other plant that you plant around it will not, likely, do well at all. As long as this bed is dedicated to the plant, alone, it will do wonderfully in a raised bed.
This article will help you to know what care they require:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/growing-blackberry-bushes.htm
They chew up the base...Its not bugs...is there anything i can spray on the stems...I think that they could be rabbits....I have had these berries for several years and this is the first year they have stripped the bark off the berry stems...They chew up about 8 inches
These tips may help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/animals/keep-rabbits-out-of-gardens.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/animals/camouflage-gardening.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/animals/mice-eating-tree-bark.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/rabbit-damage-to-trees.htm
The vines are full of fruit, can I wash them with water.?
Choosing rust resistant berries is the best course of action. If only a few leaves are involved, remove them. If the whole plant is covered, remove the plant. In this extension article, it says as long as there isn't any rust on the fruit it should be OK to eat. However, I don't know exactly what you sprayed on your berry patch, so read the product label for toxicity (though you say it is organic) or call the company.
https://ask2.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=342560
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/raspberry/treating-rust-on-raspberries.htm
I purchased a set of 3 blackberry bushes from directgardening.com. They showed up tied together and looked pretty dried out. I planted them as directed on pretty much every site I read on. They have been in the ground for about 2 weeks. I water them as directed but they still just look like sticks sticking out of the ground. I google how to tell if they are growing and all I get is "it takes 2 years for a plant to fully mature". I understand that. But how long will it take for me to see growth and leaves. I'd like to know if they are just dead. I don't want to waste my time watering something that is never gonna do anything...
You can scratch a stem to see if there's green under the surface, or see if a stem is flexible to determine whether the bush is alive. I think at the time you sent this, it was too soon to tell. A change of environment will often affect a plant, making it slow down or even stop growing for a while.
Here are two articles that may be helpful:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/growing-blackberry-bushes.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/blackberries-not-fruiting.htm
what to do with them Do we cut them along with the berry spent stalks or just cut all in the fall or now . We live in east texas its been hot and humid I know you can help
There are two two types of pruning that you will do for these plants. The cleaning pruning, where you remove old canes, will be done during late summer and autumn. Here is an article that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/blackberry-pruning.htm