Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: Ferris on January 17, 2009, 18:21
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Just got back from a back-nreaking day at my plot. Unfortunately I inherited a lovely thicket of brambles which have now all been cut down and ready to burn - just the roots to deal with now. I know there is probably only one answer to this, but just to check - is there any way of getting rid of the roots other than literallg going through the soil with a toothcomb? I've started digging out the main root balls but there is a huge network of little spindly roots breaking off and I was kind of hoping there may be a "miracle cure" other than lots of radox and gin afterwards!
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Unfortunately there is no miracle cure,only a spade/fork and back-ache.Best of luck :wink:
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Agree with beansticks...you must pull out what you can of the main roots or they'll simply grow again. Glyphosphates won't work at the moment as you need actively growing leaves for it to work and it takes ages to reach the roots of shrubs. Later when the tiny young brambles start popping up from leftover root bits, they'll be easy to pop out and simply keep on top of it and you'll soon be totally rid of them.
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Hi Ferris,
I've been forking an area of Brambles since October and my roots run just below ground all over the place.
The ground hasn't been touched for over 25 years so you can imagine how well established the blighters have got. :(
I'm slowly getting there and my prediction to complete the whole area will be around the beginning of april....Just in time for planting veg :)
i'm about half way through it, the area is approx 30 feet square.
It's very satisfying to look back after a weekend to see the what i have done so please...don't get disheartened it will be worhwhile in the end.
Just think of the lovely veg coming out of there after all the hard work. :D
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Many on this site faced with that problem have reported that a mattock/azada have worked best.
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I chopped all mine down with a petrol brush cutter just prior to forking the area. Leaving about 6 inches of stump so i can see where they are. :)
Hi DD
Had a phonecall from Brookside about my seed tat order the other day. :)
Just waiting for Roosters to come in and will be collecting them all on 26th Jan.
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Good old fashioned hardwork, blisters and backache, but it makes the veggies taste all the better :wink:
Stick with it, there is no easy answer but theres no rush either
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I did the same as AsdaM, just keep your eyes open as these stumps are just waiting to trip you up :lol:
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I got the butler to get rid of my brambles. 8)
Sorry, have to agree that the only answer is blood sweat and tears. But think of the sense of achievement you will get when it's done.
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Can i borrow your Butler Ice. ? :wink:
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Can i borrow your Butler Ice. ? :wink:
Of course you can. All he needs is bread, water and some straw to sleep on. Well at least that's what I pay him. :lol:
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Can i borrow your Butler Ice. ? :wink:
Me too :wink:
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Sorry, I need him back he's got the new swimming pool to dig out and I bought him a new spade to do it with today.
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a mini digger is the best tool
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a mini digger is the best tool
As my butler is only five foot two that's exactly what I've got. :wink: :lol:
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a mini digger is the best tool
As my butler is only five foot two that's exactly what I've got. :wink: :lol:
your far to quick ice :wink:
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If you dig (or double dig) methodically across the area it will be much easier than trying to dig out each root bundle individually. Don't worry too much about the smaller bits of root breaking off, they need to be fairly thick to regrow.
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Hi
Brushcutter or slasher to take all the top growth off Pile all that up in one corner and leave it. The roots get a mattock and take each root out individually. You're bound to get some growth never gat all the root first attempt so as each plant pops up dig it out and throw it away
Good luck you should get about 80% clearence on the first sweep
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Thanks everyone - how easily does the top sfuff burn - does it need lots of drying out or will it go up pretty easily once cut. Planning on going next Saturday to burn what I can. I have placed a big heavy duty plastic sheet over the "bonfire" to try and keep it dry this week
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Ive got this same task to do we cleared the above ground stuff yesterday afternoon and all the old carpets and rubbish that other site users must have been dumping in this area :mad: i did think to myself thow bad it was so left all the rubbish piled up for others to see for a week or so. Not that it will make any differenceat all hahahah but it will make me feel better by making a point.
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I cut down and removed all the brambles then dug up what I could. When the little blighters came up again I spot treated them with SBK. They dont like it up em Mr Mainwairing! :ohmy: