I have basically cleared my plot but have one last area to do which has 8 foot high brambles on it, and a couple of shrubs in the middle of that!
Does anyone have any advice as to the best way to get rid of these? I don't really want to use chemicals but if I do resort to that what would be the best to use?
Best way would be to cut them back and dig them out.Hard work you know
they are got rid of .
Do you need it cleared right now? I only ask because I imagine they are covered in flowers about now so in about 6 weeks time the fruits will start fattening up. You could take all the fruits, then hack the brambles down and dig them up. I have a bank of brambles along the side of my shed, and they are a pain in the neck...arms...legs...face...but I do resist the urge to hack them back until the autumn so I can benefit from all those lovely free fruits!
I'd wait too - are you sure they are brambles and not cultivated blackberries? Would be a pity to get rid of it if it's a good one.
They are definitely brambles. I don't really want to get rid of them all straight away but they are about 8ft high and go back about 10 meters so eat up a lot of the plot
hmmmm, 10 metres is too much >:(......as they layer so profusely, can you dig them up back to something acceptable until the autumn at least and harvest the remaining fruits then? (as EJ asks?)
If you'd like to go this route, cut them down to almost ground level, then it's dig, dig, dig along the line you've chosen. It's not impossible, I've done it......just decide where you want the brambles to end, then go for it.
(dunno what you prefer to use, but if you want to paint the remainders with one of the proprietary 'stump-out' gels & cover with black plastic, can assure you they work 8))
And remember......don't know how secure your plot is, but they're one hell of a hedge for marauders. ;D
I remember someone telling me that brambles like a lot of water, so if you have got a lot of brambles then there is a lot of water on your plot. You should leave a patch so that the brambles suck up some of the excess water, you to have to be a bit ruthless though as they do run like anyone's business.
They have deep roots too; brambles don't imply water near the surface.
I can only advise based on my own experience, but 18 months ago I (with the help of a mate) cleared a large area that had head high brambles all over it.
We found that by wearing good gloves etc, and using a long handled slasher we could get in far enough to dig/heave the roots up. We then threw them onto a roaring bonfire and listened to the satisfying crackles and pops as they met their demise.
It's not for the faint hearted, and is certainly hard, but it wasn't as bad as it looked if you know what I mean.
Good luck!!
I would certainly wait if at all possible. Not only will you get the fruit, but it's pretty hard work. We did it on a cool spring day and it was very satisfying (and not as bad as you'd think, cutting them down and then digging them out) but I really wouldn't fancy it in this heat.
Emma
You can certainly dig them out, but be prepared for them to emerge from the depths at any moment. if you can keep pulling them every time they appear, they will eventually run out of steam.