Brambles

[daineal]

Hi,
Anyone know what's the best way of getting rid of unwanted brambles for good??
We have quite a bit patch in the corner of the garden between the bottom & the side fence where they keep returning.There used to be a big tree there too but it's been cut down & there's still a stump in the ground.Don't know what type of tree it was though.We've tried weedkiller sprayed on the leaves quite often but that didn't work.Neither did cutting it down to the ground & putting thick carpet over it.It just grew through the carpet.I've cut it down to the ground again now as I've got 2 small children & you know how they like to play with things they shouldn't.But I really need to get rid of it once & for all.
I'm sure someone out there will know just what to do.

Thanks,
daineal

[madderbat]

The only way I know is to dig the roots out (bit by bit). It's a difficult job but worth it if you want rid.
We always had three brambles in the garden when my son was born; each year I cut them down to the ground, and they always came back, with abundent fruit. He learnt to stay away from it, and we cropped for pies and wine, Paul used to help to pick the fruit.
Sometimes we can try and protect children from things that they can learn from; maybe these brambles can become part of your family too?

[pigletwillie]

We have just taken on an additional plot and in the middle there is a bramble patch. As there is an old shed to burn I am piling it in the middle of the brambles and will light it next bonfire day to clear the top growth as its this that is the worst bit to get rid of. Afterwards when the ground is dug over the roots will be taken out and burnt.

Any bits missed can easily be dug out as they appear.

[supersprout]

Sorry Piglet, the image of the brier patch and empty shed and I'll huff ... and puff ... blame morning My sister and I used to fight with brambles and thorny rasps all day long in the summer, thwacking them down and picking the fruit by turns. We'd finish the day jumping into hot baths and screeching cos of the thorns, but they were happy hours - am inclined to madderbat's view. Give them loads of manure and prune fiercely?

[Two_Sheds]

Our allotment brambles are being decimated by new plotholders...its like a war out there! It's a bit of a shame because we've lost a lot of nesting sites now - in the summer the brambles were full of birds. Hedgehogs, foxes and deer too.

[daineal]

I'll probably go with digging it all out.Can't set fire to it due to the 2 fences nearby.Never get any fruit on it, even when left to grow; so it's not really worth saving.
Thanks for everyone's advice though.Don't suppose anyone'd like to help dig it out?(if you're passing my house one day).

[rustylady]

I'll probably go with digging it all out.Can't set fire to it due to the 2 fences nearby.Never get any fruit on it, even when left to grow; so it's not really worth saving.
Thanks for everyone's advice though.Don't suppose anyone'd like to help dig it out?(if you're passing my house one day).

No thanks, Daineal - I just finished (I hope) clearing my allotment of brambles by digging, and it's hard work! The roots are incredible

[shirlthegirl43]

We have had a huge bramble patch at the far end of the garden since we moved in 10 years ago when No 2 son was 1. He has quite happily played in the garden with the nettles and brambles all his life with no ill effects. However, 2 summers ago he got a big stick and started whacking heck out of the brambles which meant that last year I was able to get them under control at last and now that is the area being dug out to provide a proper veggie patch for this summer. Kids need to learn that there are things in life that need to be respected and that in return they will get to see the flowers, bees, butterflies and then enjoy the fruit in the autumn. I have met kids who didn't know where milk came from (other than the supermarket) and that hurts more than a bramble scratch.

[daineal]

Hi rustylady,
You're right, the roots are a nightmare but if I do a bit each day it'll soon be done.
Hi Shirley,
My kids love the garden, it's quite a struggle getting them back in for bedtime; but that's not a bad thing really.And you're right, there's a lot of kids out there who wouldn't know what a potato looked like if it bit them on the bum.You can even buy mashed potato in a freezer packet now, but then what does that say for the parents who buy it??
Anyway, thanks everyone for your help; it's much appreciated.