In article , MichaelD.be45e30
@gardenbanter.co.uk says...

Hello everyone,

I recently bought a house with a 30x90ft garden, which was massively
overgrown:

[image: http://imageshack.us/a/img580/1193/gardenold.jpg]

I have since spent quite a bit of time pulling out all of the old bushes
and trees, burning as I go. As you can see, I've certainly made
progress:

[image: http://imageshack.us/a/img27/5903/garden2b.jpg]
[image: http://imageshack.us/a/img6/6974/garden3u.jpg]

However, I am now moving towards being in a position whereby:


- There are lots of roots in the ground from the large bushes / small
trees
- I have attempted to remove the bramble roots, but not done a great
job - lots left in there / hidden
- I want to remove all of this, and then lay grass!


My plan is to hire a mini excavator (it's about 800cm wide - will fit
through the door in my garange!) and pull up the remaining large roots
(e.g. against the fence on the left, and over on the right).

I plan to use the excavator/digger to pull up the small amount of grass
that exists, and also level the ground a bit more.

I wouldn't; it's not a very good tool for digging out roots and the
weight will compact the soil (making it harder for plants to thrive).
I'd save the hire fee to invest in some permanent assets; a mattock
and saw or spade. Then you can dig round each root, saw off some to
loosen the plant and lever it out.
A mattock is also very good for extricating bramble roots.


I then plan to get a heavy duty (13 horse power) rotorator, and use it
across the whole area.

If you rotovate that healthy tussocky grass much of it will grow back.
I would mow the grass, giving yourself a temporary usable lawn this
summer, then spend summer clearing the roots and brambles as described
and get that bare soil really clean.

By then you will have a good idea which parts of the garden are
sunny/shady/ breezy/sheltered , best for sitting out, hanginglaundry
etc. Which neighbours to block out ...

Take your time and don't rush. Successful gardens are not made in
a few days, or even a season. By taking your time you will realise
what's practical and desirable , and save your back. If you rush to
instant results, a few months later you'll be re-doing it all over again
the way you wish you'd thought of before.

See, ripping/hacking out all those shrubs is something you might
regret when you eventually find out what they were, and that some
treasure took years to reach that size and would have flowered...

Janet.