On 20 Mar, 13:44, "Emrys Davies" wrote:
"Chris Wilson" wrote in message

...

I am in Shropshire, England. Last year I sprayed a large swathe of
nettles
and brambles on 7 acres of field and woodland we bought. I have
knocked 7
bells out of the brambles, the nettles didn't suffer as much. I want
to
finish them off this year, when's the best time to spray please?
What's the
flavour of the month in regard to stuff to use, I don't want to kill
grass
or ferns, if possible? I'll be using a comapct tractor spray and a
back
pack spray. Thanks.

For best effects you need to spray when the nettles are growing freely
and from what I see in Solihull that would need to be in the next week
or two.

You need to use Glyphosate, but that will kill virtually
everything.http://www.pan-uk.org/pestnews/actives/glyphosa.htm

Regards,
Emrys Davies.

It sounds to me as if you need to change your spray, some of the
selective Agricultural sprays work better on brambles whilst others
work better on nettles and thistles. check with your supplier.
Nettles are starting to grow away now :Good time to pick them for
cooking: I'd wait till they are around 9 to 12 inches tall before
spraying.
Do remember to leave some as food plants for Peacock butterfly
caterpillars which feed on nettles;
David Hill
Abacus Nurseries