This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Need to clear a patch of land
joncruz
Posts: 1
So, I have this patch of land, it's very small, covered in long grass, and surrounded by bramble. I've cut back the bramble to a point I'm comfortable with, and now I want to remove the grass which is quite compact. My idea is to cover the patch with a tarp to deprive the grass of light, and then peel it up and burn the debris. It's winter now, and I want it cleared by spring for planting.
0
Posts
Digging is a good warming job for winter days
Don't do it when the ground is frozen though.
Last edited: 29 December 2016 09:24:25
Hire a turf stripper and stack the removed turf in a corner to break down into good garden soil.
Or do it by hand. You'll need to dig over the soil anyway to aerate it and add well rotted compost and manure to improve texture. I suggest a fork rather than a spade for digging as it's kinder to worms and other beneficial soil organisms.
If the grass is quite compact as you say then you can do it by hand with a sharp spade. Excellent exercise for a cold winters day. Stack it upside down in a corner and let it turn into a friable compost. Dig over the area and you are ready to go.
Cutting back the bramble is not enough - you will have to dig it all out. Another good job for a cold day.