On 5/30/04 3:43 AM, in article
, "paulr"
wrote:

Hi,

I`ve searched high and low to find some clear answers to how to clear
an overgrown garden but without much luck. So i thought i`d just ask.

I have just bought a house with a 60` x 25` garden and it currently
has about 3 foot tall weeds covering all of it apart from a couple of
trees.

Any ideas on how to clear it. The idea is to returf the whole garden.
Should i hire a petrol strimmer and clear it then turf it? or go at it
with a lot of weed killer and wait a few weeks?

any help would be greatly appriciated.

thanks

J
Hi,
I have read all the posts to date and am somewhat surprised that there
are some who still suggest using a chemical to kill the weeds. "It will do
no harm" is the usual response. I remember in the early years of the 2nd
World War when some Canadian soldiers were subjected to radiation (or
something) and were told "It will do no harm"! That was not true! After
hearing about that I am always suspect about anyone who says "It will do no
harm!"
Therefore, my suggestions are as follows and the reasons:
Firstly, cut down the weeds with some kind of mechanical tool... A man, for
example, with a scythe. Or use a lawn mower raised to the highest cutting
level. Or a weed eater...that's what we call them in Canada...probably the
same as a petrol strimmer. It's a motorized or electric weed cutter downer!
You do want to do this before the weeds go to seed!
It sounds like this particular area was at one time a garden. It should
be easy digging! Dig it in, one shovel full at a time. Try to bury as much
of the green leaves as you can. Dig, flip and roll the greenery into the
bottom of the just dug hole. (Digging the first shovel full, turn over just
on the edge of the hole you have just dug. As it rolls, the tops (green)
will fall into the hole.) Try to cover any greenery left from the first
shovel full with the following shovel full. Don't worry about the greenery
left showing. Right now we want to get the whole garden turned over. We will
look after the 'greenery left showing' later.
Remember, we are doing this one shovel full at a time. Turn over a few
shovel fulls then sit down with your favourite beverage and enjoy the work
you have done! It looks good, doesn't it?
And just think-no chemicals! And you are using green compost! Good for
the worms and that is good for whatever you plant there later.
Should you have any fledgling ice hockey players in your town, tell them
you have a great way for them to improve their wrist shot or slap shot! (It
will strengthen their wrists and arms). Get them to dig it for you. Be sure
that they read the above instructions. Tell them you won't charge them for
the experience. Well, good luck with that one!
That's my 'how' and 'why'. No chemical is a good chemical...ask any
worm...they work 24-7 and in the dark...as far as I know!
Gary
Fort Langley BC
Canada

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