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Removal of brambles

Jenny128Jenny128 Posts: 24
in Problem solving
Hi,
Since lockdown we have been tidying up an elderly neighbours garden which was totally overgrown and infested by brambles. Whilst we have cut down most of the large brambles and dug out the roots it appears that more and more self sown seedlings are popping up virtually every day all over the garden. Has anyone got any ideas how to deal with these please?

Posts

  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    They haven't developed the root system of older plants and many will pull out fairly easily if the the soil is reasonably loose. If it is hard or compacted though, lifting somewhat with a fork should help, hopefully most will not need completely digging out.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Agree.  The smaller ones are easy to pull out especially if the soil is moist after rain.   

    Regular hoeing of the area will stop new seedlings taking root but if it's a big space and you haven't the time to do that you can put down a layer of cardboard and cover that with a mulch of compost and/or well rotted manure and that will suppress new weedlings in the soil tho not stop new incoming seeds arriving by wind or bird.  On the other hand, you can plant straight into it to cover up bare soil and reduce opportunists.
    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
  • SueAtooSueAtoo Posts: 380
    For brambles, bracken, tree seedlings and shrubs etc. I cut down to about 1", make up some SBK and use a small paintbrush to dab over and down sides.
    East Dorset, new (to me) rather neglected garden.
  • Jenny128Jenny128 Posts: 24
    SBK?
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Google SBK brushwood killer.
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    My garden is surrounded by unused fields with banks rather than fencing so brambles are a continuous problem for me. They march over the banks into my garden, waving at me as they do so. 
    My method of tackling them is to cut them back as far as I can reach, then on a still day spray with glyfosate, inert on reaching the ground and safe for pets. I have to do this at least twice a year as they root as they travel. A really good spray in July is the best time to spray, when they are full of new growth and activelygrowing. 
    I get a perverse sense of satisfaction as I watch them slowly die.
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