There are weeds everywhere!!

Last post 11-06-2012 8:23 AM by Jeraldine. 3 replies.

• 05/06/2012 04:20 PM

  Tigger2801 Location: Belper Joined on: 02 Jun 2012 Posts: 5

  Reply | Contact Hi all, we are about to start tackling a garden that has been sadly neglected for some time. The front is servicable, but the back is a disgrace. There are weeds everywhere except for a large patch in the middle where they have been burning rubbish. The weeds are mostly established clumps of nettles, some tall things with yellow/tufty white flowers, brambles and rough clumps of grass (but not the good kind).   I think most of the job this year is going to be prepping for next year (clearing the weeds, laying lawn, getting the structures in like patio, shed etc), and wondered if anyone could help with the following: What is the best way to tackle the weeds? My current plan is to cut the weeds back to the level described on the pack, and give it a good dousing with all purpose weed killer. After that I assume it will start to die and I only have to clear whats left and target regrowth either by pulling or spraying as it occurs. Is this the best way to go about it? It seems a rather simplistic approach in view of the scale of the problem (I'm sure people have faced worse weed patches but I'm a total novice lol). Which am I most likely to have trouble removing and are there any special tips or tricks? Would you be concerned over things in the soil from their burning rubbish (I know it was rubbish from the remains - mostly plastic by the looks of it) - I'm wondering if we should take off a lot of the top layer and put down top soil before laying lawn seed in case anything has leached into the soil.   Thanks all,   Vicky

• 06/06/2012 09:12 PM

  In reply to

  Clayton Location: Berkhamsted Joined on: 27 May 2012 Posts: 9

  Reply | Contact Hi Vicky, I do not know how big your garden (and problem) is but hire a brush cutter (about £30 a day). Clear all the brambles ( this is not too dangerous nor hard work and it should be quite good fun once you get the hang of it. Then hire a cultivator (again about £30 a day) and turn over the soil. This is not so much fun and much harder work but this gets rid of all the rubbish (brambles main roots that will regrow). You need to rake over and clear all this so you do not get these regrowing through your lawn. Then you can leave this for a month and see what grows through. Perennial weeds are no problem; it is the brambles that you do not want growing through. Dig these out or you can use your weed killer then. This is alot more work than than prescribed by weed killer manufacturers instructions but much cheaper and much more thorough. A little bit of love and I promise it will reward you much, much more.

• 10/06/2012 06:23 PM	In reply to
  Tigger2801 Location: Belper Joined on: 02 Jun 2012 Posts: 5	Reply | Contact  Thanks Clayton, I don't mind the hardwork - I'm quite looking forward to getting out in the garden after living in a flat for 4 years!

• 11/06/2012 08:23 AM	In reply to
  Jeraldine Location: Joined on: 23 May 2012 Posts: 13	Reply | Contact  Hardwork is the best thing about gardening!