PattiW writes:

Hi

I have just registered. I have a problem area in my small cottage
garden. I have cut down an old rosemary plant which had got really out
of hand and was very woody. I've cleared the bed as best I can but there
are still lots of roots - the big rosemary one and brambles and ivy.
It's very very difficult to get a fork into the soil and dig the roots
out. I'm pulling as much as I can out by hand. I would like to do
something with this area but really don't know how to tackle all these
roots in partcular the ivy. Is it possible to post pictures on here? I
took a photo today in the hope that some kind person out there will be
able to make a suggestion as to what I can do with this area. Hope you
can help.

Use photobucket or one of the many other sites and then post a link.

A fork is the wrong tool.

To get out roots, dig a circle around the plant with a spade.
If you can cut through the roots with the spade, you are okay.
If they are too tough, dig farther from the plant.
Then work the spade under the root ball and pry up.

This works better if you leave about 2 feet of the plant intact,
it gives you something to grab onto and rock the plant out of
the hole.

There's no doubt it's hard work, but hard work builds character.