Best way to clear a (fairly) large area?

[ryanguevara1983]

Hi guys, I posted a few weeks back about weedkillers as I need to clear a large area. I've decided to do it the honest way and dig it over myself - it'll do me good!!

Just one question about the order in which to do it.

I'm going to lay some thick cardboard over it for a few months to kill off whatever I can.

Should I dig it over loosely and then cover?

Or should I cover it, then dig over when I remove the cardboard?

Many Thanks.

[alldigging]

Chickens!

Someone told me recently of someone who cleared a huge plot with them!


Cardboard - don't dig under it - just put it on and weigh it down.

[veggiechicken]

Good decision Ryan
Dig out any tough stuff like bramble then just cover it with whatever you can find. You can dig it later. It'll be much easier to dig then too.

[ryanguevara1983]

Would love to put my chickens on there!!

It's actually their old run that I'm trying to clear - I had to move them because Mr Fox got them.

New (permanent) run is already a big square of bare earth!!

[chris]

You should see the garden that I have mine in! Talk about a building site - they've wrecked it!

[Two_Sheds]

Cover it for several months, then dig it. You'll find that the worms have done a lot of the work for you

[northepaul]

NB you can also dig in the cardboard (unless its very thick)