Brambles

I have brambles invading the far end of my garden. I'll be able to dig some of the roots out but most of it is coming from a neglected area outside my boundary. Sneaking over to dig it up there is not an option because it's tarmac, poorly maintained, I think the brambles are growing out of cracks in the road surface (it's not exactly a road, it's the access route and fire escape for the building next door).

I've sprayed the brambles with glyphosate many times over the years, which slows it down a lot but doesn't fully kill it off.

Any advice please on how to tackle it once and for all?

 

I find Glyphosate kills brambles if you do it when they have a good covering of leaf and growing well, if you get the stuff online it seems more effective as its stronger.
I suppose you could just use the ordinary stuff and dilute it less.

 

@Clueless 1 v2 like you we have invading brambles from another garden and also found Glyphosate not very effective.

We then used SBK Brushwood Killler, (widely available) sprayed onto its new shoots and any old leaves around late March early April when things are warming up.

We only sprayed it the once as its behind our garage and hard to get to, but seemed to be effective for 1 to 2 years before it returned.

If yours is easy to get to and you can respray any regrowth straight away think it will soon fully clear your problem, though do not be surprised if other different bramble comes in a year or two later if the neigbours garden is full of them.

 

I use salt, I mix 1kg salt to 6pints of water 2-3 days before i use it so it all liquid you may have shake it a few times, use it on a damp morning which then be dry for the rest of the day, do with the young growth and watch out for other plants

 

Thanks all. I think I'll order some of that SBK stuff.

I've never used it before, but I assume the process is similar to glyphosate, in that it's best applied in the morning so it's on there for a good few hours of photosynthesis time so it doesn't just wear off while the plant is dormant over night?

I also like the salt trick. That's another one I've never tried, but I have a few problem spots where I don't need to be quite so precise, like down the side of the house.

 

SBK Brushwood killer would be my first choice. Apply in early May when fully leaved. It may be mixed with old oil for an extra durability. Also suitable in that mix for unwanted ivy. Remember it is a total plant killer, it will kill almost everything. Use ppe and keep off skin.

 

I was under the impression that SBK didn't kill grass.

 

Nope, SBK Vitax SBK Brushwood Killer 1 litre VTXBK1L 5BKA1 | at Zoro

 

If the brambles are not in a very obviously bad place, simply cutting them back as they grow works fairly well.

I have been doing that for some years in the corner where they are nicely shared amongst us neighbours, and nowadays I only get very little new growth.

Free, no chemicals, and leftover stems are very popular with little critters so I tend to let one or two to flower and fruit.

Thornproof gloves are warmly recommended

 

OP states proximity is tarmac ? No inference of grass.

 

I only replied because you stated it was a "total" weedkiller and will kill almost any thing.
Which it isn't, its a selective weedkiller according to the instructions.

Must admit I've only ever used it for killing stumps I prefer Glyphosate for general weed killing.