The dreaded snowberry

pip_jcarr

I've seen lots of threads re the dreaded snowberry plant and I know its going to be a long hard slog as its taken over most of the garden to the house I've bought. As the garden has been 'idle' for over 10years I don't want to use chemical weed killer. So the question is - is there a natural substance that helps? I know I will have to invest in a mattock at some point but being in my senior years I don't want to do a mischief to myself, mind you it might get rid of some pent-up anger!!   

pansyface

Take it one bit at a time with loppers and mattock. It really doesn’t put up that much of a fight. 😊

philippasmith2

I can certainly sympathise with your predicament.

The only way I have found is to cut it down to the base and then dig it out.  It's a long hard slog to be sure.

I haven't heard of a natural substance which would do the job for you.  I'm not even that convinced a weedkiller would really do the job but it does depend on how much you have to do and whether or not you have anything growing with it which you want to save.

I'm sure others may have advice but best of luck anyway

pip_jcarr

Thanks both. I think I made it worse by hacking it back, then had to leave it for several weeks by which time I had created a monster - a million more shoots!!

The garden would be class as a 'jungle' but the soil has been left for 10 years plus. So wanted to eventually create an organic veggie plot. Mind you having said that the garden is 70ft x 40ft most covered in snowberry!! - I can but dream 

Skandi

If you can cut it down to ground level you could use plastic to kill it but you would have a rather ugly plastic covered garden for a year. Equally the lawnmower does a good job once you have it down in the first place. I've found it horrific to try to dig out so I go with a lawnmower to keep it in place.

Even if you were to use a brush killer on it you would still have the roots and stumps there for several years getting in the way.

AnniD

You have my sympathy.
l only have a small clump that l naively brought with me to this garden over 30 years ago. The reason it's a small clump is because l watch it like a hawk and attack it every year in late winter, digging out as much as l can to keep it under control.
Having an area that big to deal with,without resorting to weedkiller,  is one heck of a job, and as you've discovered, cutting back only makes the situation worse (imo).
I have found it to be comparatively shallow rooted, and if the ground is wet the newer growth comes out fairly easily.

I would maybe consider getting someone in to dig the area and get out as much as possible if you can afford to do this. Once that's done, have eyes like a hawk for any new shoots, and get the little devils out.
Failing that, investing in a mattock and doing a section at a time is all l can advise. 

PS Welcome to the forum 

JennyJ

Good luck! I'm still digging up bits that regrow from left-behind bits of root, and suckers from where it's mixed in with the privet hedge where I can't even try to dig it out.

Loxley

I have to admit I would spray it without hesitation. 

mandyroberts99

My snowberry is growing more slowlt than expected. I don't want it  to take over but am I doing something wrong?

pip_jcarr

AnniD said:

You have my sympathy.
l only have a small clump that l naively brought with me to this garden over 30 years ago. The reason it's a small clump is because l watch it like a hawk and attack it every year in late winter, digging out as much as l can to keep it under control.
Having an area that big to deal with,without resorting to weedkiller,  is one heck of a job, and as you've discovered, cutting back only makes the situation worse (imo).
I have found it to be comparatively shallow rooted, and if the ground is wet the newer growth comes out fairly easily.

I would maybe consider getting someone in to dig the area and get out as much as possible if you can afford to do this. Once that's done, have eyes like a hawk for any new shoots, and get the little devils out.
Failing that, investing in a mattock and doing a section at a time is all l can advise. 

PS Welcome to the forum 

Thank you for your welcome that's very kind of you

You're right about the cutting back - it was like 'yippeee I've had a haircut I can grow back even stronger!!!'  

The roots seem to have gone quite deep as the roots on top are a good 3 inches wide so I don't think pulling up will help but I do  agree a little at a time, and I think as a mothers day present to myself!!  I will invest in a mattock.