I have just purchased some extra garden space around my house. Unfortunately
the weeds (mostly neetles) are extensive. I can't work the land all at the
same time so have broken it up into sections. I have started to clear the
neetles and propose coveing in with black plastic. My husband thinks this will
kill all the plants if we leave it until next spring. I am not convinced and
think we should put some weed killer down first. What do you all think?

"Pam8954" wrote in message
...
I have just purchased some extra garden space around my house.
Unfortunately
the weeds (mostly neetles) are extensive. I can't work the land all at
the
same time so have broken it up into sections. I have started to clear the
neetles and propose coveing in with black plastic. My husband thinks this
will
kill all the plants if we leave it until next spring. I am not convinced
and
think we should put some weed killer down first. What do you all think?

I was once told at an Ecology conference that cutting nettles down over a
period of two or three years would eradicate them. Having had them in my
garden, I'm not at all convinced! I would have thought that you might need
to leave the black plastic a bit longer than just next spring; perhaps a
whole year? Nettles can have quite thick roots which may resprout.

Glyphosphate weedkiller does a good job on them; but there are some
ecological issues, of course. (Like what happens to the breakdown products
of the weedkiller as it sinks through the soil into the underground water).
Please note, I'm not being judgemental here; I have used it myself in
desperation - it is just a consideration.

However, you should also be aware that nettles have about 40 species of
insects on them, and are one of the most important reservoirs of insect life
in the environment. (I think Oak trees are the winners with about 200
species, if I recall correctly). So, if you can stand it, you might consider
keeping a small patch, at least, for the sake of the birds, etc.

Take care,

John.

(Isn't it irritating how things like wasps and nettles are so valuable in
nature!)

"Pam wrote in message
I have just purchased some extra garden space around my house.
Unfortunately
the weeds (mostly neetles) are extensive. I can't work the land all at
the
same time so have broken it up into sections. I have started to clear the
neetles and propose coveing in with black plastic. My husband thinks this
will
kill all the plants if we leave it until next spring. I am not convinced
and
think we should put some weed killer down first. What do you all think?

Some of the persistent perennial weeds will not be killed in such a short
time, and they are the very ones you want out of the garden. Would probably
need two years.
Although I dislike using it for environmental reasons I would recommend
Glyphosphate (Roundup) which will kill all the perennial weeds (except
Mare's Tails). Used it on our allotments when we started. Just think you are
actually trying to improve the environment for a lot of wildlife with the
diverse range of plants you intend to have in your new garden.
Would be good if you could keep a nettle patch somewhere but ensure it's
well enclosed with an underground fence.

--
Regards
Bob
in Runnymede, 17miles west of London, UK

In message , Bob Hobden
scribes

"
Although I dislike using it for environmental reasons I would recommend
Glyphosphate (Roundup) which will kill all the perennial weeds (except
Mare's Tails).

Any recommendations for killing brambles. I've tried Roundup and it
doesn't touch the wretched things!
--
Snowy

On Sun, 05 Sep 2004 18:01:08 GMT, Ian Snowdon
wrote:


Any recommendations for killing brambles. I've tried Roundup and it
doesn't touch the wretched things!

First you must be sure that you are dealing with your own brambles.
if you live next door to a bamble patch and some are transgressing
onto your garden then I cannot offer much hope.

If however there seems to be the odd bramble or two growing in
isolation then you should keep on top of them. Everytime one appears
pull or dig it up. If the areas is mowable mow the brambles down
frequently.. In the end they will give up and die.

"Pam8954" wrote in message
...
I have just purchased some extra garden space around my house.
Unfortunately
the weeds (mostly neetles) are extensive. I can't work the land all
at the
same time so have broken it up into sections. I have started to
clear the
neetles and propose coveing in with black plastic. My husband
thinks this will
kill all the plants if we leave it until next spring. I am not
convinced and
think we should put some weed killer down first. What do you all
think?

We had exactly the same problem when we bought the adjacent derelict
plot.
We cleared the nettles in one season.
We dug them out.
Yes, its time consuming.
Yes, its backbreaking.
Yes, its effective.
.......... and very satisfying.
Just remember to take before and after photographs.

--
ned

http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk
last update 05.09.2004

I would just use the plastic because nettles make really good compost
material and aren't that difficult to get rid of by just pulling up .

Fogey

"Pam8954" wrote in message
...
I have just purchased some extra garden space around my house.
Unfortunately
the weeds (mostly neetles) are extensive. I can't work the land all at
the
same time so have broken it up into sections. I have started to clear the
neetles and propose coveing in with black plastic. My husband thinks this
will
kill all the plants if we leave it until next spring. I am not convinced
and
think we should put some weed killer down first. What do you all think?

"Aardvark" wrote

Any recommendations for killing brambles. I've tried Roundup and it
doesn't touch the wretched things!

First you must be sure that you are dealing with your own brambles.
if you live next door to a bamble patch and some are transgressing
onto your garden then I cannot offer much hope.

If however there seems to be the odd bramble or two growing in
isolation then you should keep on top of them. Everytime one appears
pull or dig it up. If the areas is mowable mow the brambles down
frequently.. In the end they will give up and die.

Yes that's true, we did it on part of our "car park" on the allotments,
burnt the brambles down and then after tidying it up mowed the area at the
same time as the grass and after one season they gave up trying to grow. Now
the site is just as the rest, grass.

--
Regards
Bob
in Runnymede, 17miles west of London, UK

"Ian Snowdon" wrote in message
...
In message , Bob Hobden

scribes

"
Although I dislike using it for environmental reasons I would
recommend
Glyphosphate (Roundup) which will kill all the perennial weeds
(except
Mare's Tails).

Any recommendations for killing brambles. I've tried Roundup and it
doesn't touch the wretched things!

Perhaps you are too impatient. I have just killed off some brambles
with glyphosate. I had to wait for just over 2 weeks to see the first
signs of dying off, and gave them a repeat dose. They were just dried
brown leafless sticks after about six weeks. Tip: try to wet as many
leaves as possible with the glyphosate solution.

Franz

On 6/9/04 6:05 am, in article , "Franz
Heymann" wrote:

snip Perhaps you are too impatient. I have just killed off some brambles
with glyphosate. I had to wait for just over 2 weeks to see the first
signs of dying off, and gave them a repeat dose. They were just dried
brown leafless sticks after about six weeks. Tip: try to wet as many
leaves as possible with the glyphosate solution.

Franz


Another tip: if my husband has to use glyphosate, he adds a little
wallpaper paste to the mixture to make it glutinous. That way, when he
applies it with a brush to 'spot weed' among other plants, it doesn't drip
onto the ones you don't want to kill!
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove the weeds to email me)

In message , Bob Hobden
scribes

"Aardvark" wrote

Any recommendations for killing brambles. I've tried Roundup and it
doesn't touch the wretched things!

First you must be sure that you are dealing with your own brambles.
if you live next door to a bamble patch and some are transgressing
onto your garden then I cannot offer much hope.

If however there seems to be the odd bramble or two growing in
isolation then you should keep on top of them. Everytime one appears
pull or dig it up. If the areas is mowable mow the brambles down
frequently.. In the end they will give up and die.

Yes that's true, we did it on part of our "car park" on the allotments,
burnt the brambles down and then after tidying it up mowed the area at the
same time as the grass and after one season they gave up trying to grow. Now
the site is just as the rest, grass.

Many thanks for the info'.
--
Snowy

I'm prettyy sure I read this on this NG originally but it worked for me.

I mixed brushwood killer 50:50 with parrafin and brushed it on some of the
leaves. The oil in the parrafin sticks to the leaf and keeps the herbicide
in contact with ii. Another application a week later and it did the trick

Graham