How to clear the weeds? Scrape/dig/poison?

myclayjungle · April 2021

We bought a derelict property with a 15yr+ overgrown garden. It was cleared in Autumn, but coming back with a vegeance. We have building works going on, so can't landscape properly till its completed. Every meter there is a bramble starting again, ivy around the edges, thistles, creepers and many more I don't recognise. Its 1/3 acre and other than the weeds, is almost completely bare of any 'keeper' plants or shrubs!

Some people suggested scraping the top later away. Others said to dig out the weeds by hand, which feels extremely time consuming. We get hedgehogs, so is there an animal friendly poison for weeds? Would spaying salt on brambles/ivy eventually kill the plant? Any tips for a novice are appreciated.

K67 · April 2021

Don't think there is a non harmful weedkiller.
Scraping the top off won't really help with the more deep rooted weeds.
If you strim again you might accidently strim a hiding hedgehog.
I think you will find by hand with a mattock the best way doing an area at a time and laying down carpet, cardboard or plastic to cut down regrowth and weeds seeding this year.
But If you clear everything you might lose your hedgehogs so leave an area for them tucked away.
I'm sure there are plenty of websites on hedgehog habitats.
We once had a garden that hadn't been touched for 30 years but just strimmed by neighbour you wouldn't believe the size of the dandelion roots I dug out!

PS whatever you do don't rotovate it
Just another thought if you can get a plastic bag around the weed you could use a systemic weedkiller with the plant inside the bag and tie it firmly or weight it down with a brick. It will take more than one application though. Or do a patch and cover making sure nothing can get under the edge.

bertrand-mabel · April 2021

Whilst you have building works going maybe the garden can go on the back boiler so that you can see what is really going on in your garden.

Don't use chemicals if you have hedgehogs....we would love to have them in our garden.

Give it time to tell you what is happening in your new garden area.

Dovefromabove · April 2021

Dig out brambles or paint glyphosate onto the leaves. Using salt will not work and will kill off beneficial organisms in the soil. Do not scrape off the topsoil ... topsoil is a valuable part of your soil structure.

Do not be tempted to use a rotavator ... it will chop up the roots of perennial weeds and every piece will quickly grow into a new plant.

Be methodical and dig it over, piece by piece. You’ll be glad you did. The ground work you do now is the basis of your future garden.

It’s no harder than a regular workout in a gym and considerably cheaper 😉

You have a home in a lovely part of the world (I’m a former Suffolk girl) ... enjoy 😊

Loxley · April 2021

If you treat the weeds with glyphosate in a sensible targeted way, there's little chance of harming wildlife. The most harmful ingredients in glyphosate are the surfactants (same stuff as in household cleaners) which help the stuff cling to foliage. Spray or spot treat in the morning, no need to spray until it's dripping off onto the soil, on a dry still sort of day. You need a decent amount of foliage to spray, in order for it to work well, so let things grow a bit first if need be. You can clear the dead material away after it has started dying off. The area is safe to plant as soon as the spray has dried, though. Technically it should also be safe for pets etc as soon as it has dried but I would leave it a couple of days just to be sure.

Nanny Beach · April 2021

We had massive brambles,had to dig them out, took several years

NorthernJoe · April 2021

I took over an allotment which the previous user had been ill and unable to work on it for two years or so. A friend of the committee members I think so they kept it for her rather that using the rules to take it back. It was a full plot of which I got only half of. A committee member rotorvated it be to keep it looking tidy. The other half someone put weed suppression sheet over.

When I got in there it was back breaking work taking out the weeds. Couch grass so matted I lost a foot in soil height in large areas of it. I am not exaggerating a foot of couch grass roots was taken out for about 3m X 3m area with a bit less over the rest. Once cleared and I'd sewn my crops the weeds came back a lot stronger than anything I grew. A week's holiday the weeds had bolted and the committee kicked me off the allotment because of them.

Seriously rotorvators are not a good idea to clear weeds. Hard work, time and repeat! Hot showers, linament and Wheaty bags heat packs for muscle aches!!

I once heard a tip for applying weedkiller selectively. Good waterproof gloves, put cheap cotton liner gloves outside them. Then pour weedkiller on the cotton gloves and run your hands up and down the plants you want to treat. Works best with climbers or vines that don't have thorns but by being careful even brambles could be treated this way. Just be careful with the gloves afterwards.

Posy · April 2021

Choose one small section at a time and dig out what you can, use a mattock or pickaxe to get at the roots and ENJOY it. It is hard physical labour but so satisfying and useful, unlike all those people sweating at the gym. When you see any regrowth, pull it out at once. You will be amazed, and pretty smug, by how much you achieve. Take before and after photos to remind yourself and impress your relatives.

How to clear the weeds? Scrape/dig/poison?

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