"tenplay" wrote in message
...
In my backyard, I have an area roughly 20X30 that is covered by some
blackberry vines, maple tree shoots, and gravel mixed in with the dirt.
What is best way to reclaim this area so that I can use it for a garden or
lawn? I have no idea how it got to be this way before we moved onto the
property. Thanks for any advice.

Kneepads, spade, pitch fork, backbreaking work that'll make you curse for
hours on end. Easier if you water thoroughly today, and work on it 24 hours
later, since many weeds will loosen their grip on the soil when it's moist
(but not mud). Five years later, you'll look at it and feel REALLY good
about what you did.

It would help a lot to own the tool at the link below. I've had one for 20
years. If someone tried to take it away from me, I'd put it through their
skull. It's the best garden tool ever made, period, end of discussion. It
works because of it's shape and heftiness, not because of being sharp (which
it isn't), and will cut through almost any root, weed, branch, whatever.
It'll make you extremely happy.
http://www.seedsofchange.com/garden_...16245&q=+knife