Remove bramble stumps

michelle knight 936

Hi. Ive cleared most of my brambles etc. Im going to weedkill after new growth, using glyposphate. (Forgive spelling)). How can I get rid of the stalks etc when dead. Theres too many to dig as garden is huge. Will a tiller work. When I have moved all stones, rubbish etc. The picture is less than half of the garden.

fidgetbones

Sorry, but old fashioned hard work is due now. A sharp spade and dig out the root. So long as you get the first few inches, they do not usually regrow. I broke one spade doing it, so I now have a Neverbend Rootbreaker, made by Spear and Jackson, it has a tubular steel shaft.

Blue Onion

What do you plan to do with the space, and how soon?

Fidget's suggestion is best.. but if you can't dig, then I suggest you get some long handled lopers and cut down every bramble right at the base.  Rake up and remove debris.  Then you can mow and/or spray unwanted vegetation.  Or cover everything in a real thick layer of newspaper and well rotted manure, then spray/dig the most resistant weeds until you till it up next year (when most roots have rotted somewhat).

michelle knight 936

Ok ty. Don't think I can physically manage but will try. The garden had been abandoned and used as a rubbish tip. for over 20 years. If the stalks are up to 2 inch thick I know the roots will be bad. I plan on just killing everything this year and prepare for planting next year

Skandi

If you don't want to dig them after you have weedkilled it into submission do as Blue suggests, cut the right down to the ground and basically forget about them, they will rot out in time.

michelle knight 936

Ty for the advice. I was thinking I wouldn't win and nearly admitted defeat. The rotting it down is a great idea and I have plenty of time to do it before next year. I will try to remove what I can first.  You are all great. Ty

Blue Onion

Thick layers of cardboard to rot down will do the job better.. if you've got a year or two to wait.  You could even do some select planting in open spaces between sheets, if you fancy.  Mulch over the cardboard to help keep out the light, keep the cardboard down, and win the weed battle. 

DampGardenMan

fidgetbones said:

A sharp spade and dig out the root. So long as you get the first few inches, they do not usually regrow.

I've always thought (hoped) that you only need to get the crown out (the knobbly bit an inch or so down). The roots can be left. So far it seems to be working for me, FLW!