Depending on where you are looking the presence of blackberry bushes can actually indicate good soil. I remember in many areas of southern Tassie where the soils are pretty poor (nothing like the excellent red stuff around the north of the island, which is just amazing...), you could spot the pockets of good soil by the invasion of wild blackberries they would have in the paddocks. Everywhere else the topsoil was wafer thin and there was just pure hard clay underneath - hence no blackberries! It's a classic cheat's soil test for those serious about growing their own food, alongside the soil texture test to make sure your soil has the right mix of sand, silt and clay for growing vegies.
I can't stress enough how important the right soil is if you are serious about growing your own food. The experience is a pleasure with the right soil and a nightmare without it as you just have to keep carting organic matter and fertiliser to make up for the deficiencies in the soil. Most important for vegies as they are the highest demand crop for the soil it is possible to grow. So make sure the soil is right!
I can't stress enough how important the right soil is if you are serious about growing your own food. The experience is a pleasure with the right soil and a nightmare without it as you just have to keep carting organic matter and fertiliser to make up for the deficiencies in the soil. Most important for vegies as they are the highest demand crop for the soil it is possible to grow. So make sure the soil is right!
