In message , Alan Crocker
writes
Here's my problem:
Nettles!

Nettles are fairly shallow rooted will come out with a brave heart and a
strong fork. They are a good sign of fertile soil too.

Oh and thistles and brambles and just about every other perennial weeds you
care to think of that will grow after years of neglect.
Does anyone have suggestions on the best way to clear it and suggestions on
what would be a good vegetables to start with?

Easiest way is hit the lot with glyphosate now. Wait a couple of weeks
until it is all tinder dry. Make a fire break round the edges and any
sheds and then torch the tangle of undergrowth. It is a lot easier than
digging everything out and will kill a proportion of the weed seeds too.

Don't let this years weeds set seed if you can help it.

Regards,
--
Martin Brown