JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
"CALS" wrote in message
ups.com...
First, sue the previous owner for "hidden defect".

Try mixing 6-10 inches of vegetable compost into the top 12 inches of
soil and amend with worm castings. You can also top-dress with a good
garden soil from your local suppliers.

The weeds will LOVE this treatment. He needs to dig and hack and sweat and
curse for a season or two.

I agree, you first must clean the mess up before you want to add soil
amendments and fertilizers.

Since blackberries most frequently spread via the roots, rototilling
would be your best option. 6 to 8 inches should do the trick. I'd
suggest finding someone with a tractor and tiller attachment for this
job. Prior to this however, it will be necessary for you to remove all
the bramble and filth from the area (hire it done or experience a nice,
long weekend using some power tools). You might even want to apply some
non-selective herbicide prior to the cleanup, hopefully this would
eliminate some of the clutter from returning from the roots.

Primarily the best method of getting your yard back in shape is to
dress appropriately, drink lots of water when its hot, and dive into
the first job needing done and don't stop until your finished. Good
luck and have fun (if you've got kids, make it a family thing; a little
hard work never hurt anyone).

JD