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Clearing overgrown area for landscaping

pauljnewellpauljnewell Posts: 2
in Problem solving
I have to clear a relatively large (~1/2 acre) overgrown area in preparation for levelling and landscaping. This is mostly long grass (2-3 feet), lots of weeds/unidentified plants (even taller!), coarser growth (like runaway sumac saplings). As everything has to be cleared and killed (to allow for a decent lawn/veg-plot) I will (unfortunately) need to glysophate to whole area. However, I was wondering whether I should cut it all down first, with something like a flail mower, and treat whatever remains/regrows; or whether I should just treat the existing growth. I'm not sure which will be most affective. Any advice much appreciated.
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  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Welcome to the Forum.
    I'd treat it before cutting. The greater the leaf area, the more weedkiller will be absorbed.
    Devon.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd agree with @Hostafan1. Make sure you have enough to penetrate everything though.
    The alternative is to cut it, wait for the regrowth [which would be fairly rapid at this time of year]  and then treat, but that depends on your time scale.
    The first route is the best, as you may need a 2nd treatment anyway.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I have just such an area here and treated it in late spring, on a dry day when it was about 3' high grass and weeds.  It didn't work, I think because the growth was too advanced and slowing down so not enough got back to the roots, so now we're strimming it to the ground and will spray new growth and then see.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Obelixx said:
    I have just such an area here and treated it in late spring, on a dry day when it was about 3' high grass and weeds.  It didn't work, I think because the growth was too advanced and slowing down so not enough got back to the roots, so now we're strimming it to the ground and will spray new growth and then see.
    I wonder if your higher temperatures may have  meant it wasn't " in active growth"?
    Devon.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Exactly, which is likely to be the case with overgrown areas in the UK in July, hence my advice to strim and then spray new growth.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I think I'd be inclined to strim it all down first, clear it away and then weedkill the new growth - slightly more work but would give wildlife the chance to disappear first and would make it easier to see what you were doing and the ground easier to walk round.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Obelixx said:
    Exactly, which is likely to be the case with overgrown areas in the UK in July, hence my advice to strim and then spray new growth.
    it's not hot here , more's the pity. We've got 16 as our high for today, and trust me, weeds are growing with gay abandon.
    Devon.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Other bits of the UK have been hot and dry tho Hosta, especially thru April and May.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I sprayed stuff with Roundup on Saturday and I'm seeing results already
    Devon.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Yes, but you've had lots of rain and perfect mild temps for plants so stuff is growing.  Here, all the grass that hasn't been cut has long since stopped growing and turned brown and the wildflowers/weeds in it are busy setting seed and not in active growth.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
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