Slash and burn

[oldie]

A friend has phoned to ask if it is O.K. to simply burn off the weeds on his very overgrown garden. It mainly stuff like chickweed, fat hen, grass, hairy bittercress, goose grass and ground elder. There are a few docks and dandelions and thistles but not many. He plans to put some straw on it and set it on fire. There are no fences nearby and he has a hose pipe. Would this be a good way of clearing the area or should I tell him to get digging?

[Jeanied]

Some of them will get killed by burning, Oldie - but there is no alternative to digging for ground elder (and it still comes back, but slower!). Oh and what kind of grass? If it is couch grass then the roots don't get zapped by a burner.

[oldie]

Thanks Jeanied. No it isn't couch grass, but there is a lot of ground elder.

[Jeanied]

Dandelion root is a bit of a deep one too. And docks and thistles. But once the tender annual stuff is got rid of it should be easier to see what the nasties are and concentrate efforts!

[teakdesk]

If he can burn it safely (and a hosepipe can be of little use getting an out-of-control field fire under control quickly - I know!!!) then I would say burn.

This will get rid of a lot of annuals and if the heat is enough, will destroy the seeds to prevent a quick return.

It will also expose the location of lots of perennial plants that can then be dug out easier.

It will also destroy the habitat of lots of animals so he could well find rats running around and, if it is his garden, even get mice in his house (although at this time of year it will probably not happen).

It will also get rid of a lot of ticks etc. that would otherwise bite his ankles when digging!

He will still need to dig it to get the soil prepared for planting!

[oldie]

I think I'm in agreement teakdesk. This was previously a piece of waste ground and I know there are loads of ants and who knows what else. I can't see any danger of it getting out of control and dealing with the docks etc would be a lot easier.

[Two_Sheds]

It will also destroy the habitat of lots of animals

including spiders, beetles, ladybirds, possibly even frogs etc.

[Snadger]

Torch the sucker!!!!!!! (But you'll still have to dig out the ground elder)

PS Chickweed makes good green manure when dug in!

[oldie]

Job done and 1mtr by 5mtr strip dug.