Advice needed

[mrgrower]

I have decided that I am Sado Masochistic.

I have been talked into taking on a half plot that no one else wants to work as it is full off Docks Dandis thistles and brambles. Oh and lets not forget trusty old Couch and Mares Tail

I have cleared all the junk off it and on standing back I have decided that apart from some uneven ground ie. dips the plot is fairly level so am thinking ground cover and two polytunnels?

The only issue is the brambles, much of the top growth has been cut down and removed there are still the roots to deal with. will ground cover kill the root system or do I have to dig them all out?

Thanks for any advice even if it's bad news. Fingers crossed fingers crossed

[veggiechicken]

Dig out the bramble roots - time consuming but you don't want them growing in a polytunnel - and they would!!

[rustylady]

With VeggieChicken - you really do need to dig out the bramble roots.

[mrgrower]

Ok I had a feeling that was the case will get digging as soon as I can.

Thanks VeggieChicken and RustyLady

[veggiechicken]

I'm digging them out all the time. I cut them down to about a foot, then get a fork in under the roots and lever them up. Grab the remaining stems and pull. If I can't get them out completely I cut the root off as far below ground as I can manage.
Good luck!!

[mrgrower]

This is why no one else would work it I'm hoping it isn't to much hassle.

[veggiechicken]

You said you were a masochist Its actually quite satisfying

[mrgrower]

That I must be I need my head feeling me thinks.

[Glutton4...]

Fence it off with leccy fence, at bung some Hens in there. Then, in six months time, they'll be much easier to dig out!

[mrgrower]

Fence it off with leccy fence, at bung some Hens in there. Then, in six months time, they'll be much easier to dig out!

roflmao now I like the sound of that i'll get a few pigs too and maybe a small herd of heffers

[snohare]

roflmao now I like the sound of that i'll get a few pigs too and maybe a small herd of heffers

I'm not sure whether you sound like you are going to get boared quickly or end up cowed, but either way I recommend a mattock for digging out bramble roots, it's about a third of the effort of using a fork !
And as you survey your progress, don't forget the wise words of that old hymn: "One day at a time, sweet Jesus..."