What to use to kill all this back

Hello ant1977

Yes, rotovating will spread and propagate those roots. If you have chosen to avoid weedkiller then I would hand dig in preference to using a rotovator

Dig thoroughly. The roots are much like those of bindweed....they are brittle, snap and re grow. I have cleared areas very similar to yours. I would dig again and again....each time will be easier though. You will not be able to completely eradicate those weeds this year ...or for a couple or more years because those bits of roots you have missed will be constantly wanting to re grow. If you can carefully loosen those roots and gently pull on them as you go you can pull out long strands without breaking them. Have a large container to hand too ....don’t leave any on the soil.

It is essential to completely clear those weeds before sowing wild flowers

Let us know how you get on with it ant1977. A lovely idea

 

Did they link the research carried out by a recognised body by any chance?

Im always interested in this kind of stuff but glyphosate is a subject surrounded by various views from both sides.

 

Is the predominant weed in that image stinging nettles? If so, they can be an indicator of nitrogen rich soil, which is not good for growing wildflowers.

 

Stinging nettles and a large blackberry bush, the area in question was hidden for decades under the cover of a huge sycamore tree that was cut down in Dec 17 as it was blocking light to 6 houses and slowly demolishing fences due to its size , as soon as the sun and moisture Got to the ground, up came the nettles

 

The only way you will really create a perennial weed free site there asap is to use glyphosate ant1977.

How would you deal with the nettles etc., next year amid the wildflowers? Some folk would cover the site with old carpets, black polythene etc., but in my experience aggressive weeds like bindweed simply grow horizontally to seek out the light ???

The blackberry bush can easily be dug out, no problem at all with that.

Agree with previous view ...you don’t want to add any compost or fertilisers there. The more impoverished it is there the better it will be for wild flowers.

I cleared an area where cats were kept.....don’t ask!.....and stinging nettles, colts foot, bindweed etc. had grown like a jungle. In early spring I hacked it all back, raked it away, burned it, and waited for a few weeks for the regrowth to occur. I sprayed with glyphosate, prob in late May/early June. I got in 3 reducing treatments before September to spray any odd regrowth and the area was then prepared for wild flowers in the following spring. It was and still is essentially an organic garden visited by insects and all manner of wildlife. Three quarters of this large garden is kept wild or semi wild and the application of glyphosate has not affected that.

Of course there are marmite views about glyphosate ...if you were thinking of growing fruit and veg there right away then I would understand your reluctance to use it. However, it is for wild flowers. The test is if the wild meadow grows next year, if pollinators visit the site. If they do then all is well; if they don’t then try again later.

As I said, a wonderful wild flower display at my niece’s new build estate was cleared with glyphosate. Glyphosate will never touch the site again and nor will those pre existing perennial weeds. It was a one off, an effective one off. Incidentally, I spoke with the landscapers again a couple of days ago to see how they intend to continue with the wild flowers there. They will need cutting down soon, the foliage left for a week or so for the seeds to fall and then the foliage shaken and taken away and this is exactly what they propose to do. Then the wild flowers will appear again next year

 

Thanks, I did a little search on the chap.
Don Huber: Science still looking for Purdue professor's GMO pathogen time bomb | Genetic Literacy Project
Interesting, there’s a fair bit on his micro-fungus which he will not show and it’s this that he is using towards the fight against glyphosate.
reading through the lines he’s claiming it’s at cell level so he needs to show his pathogen to make his case.
Very murky world when it comes to Herbicides.

 

Glyphosphate is my plan. I wanted to clear it back and see what I was playing with, in case it had been used a a rock / concrete dumping ground when it was hidden away for decades

 

Which is the best weed killer or are they about the same? I don’t have to worry about killing grass or anything tender. Just the strongest would do

 

Hiya ant1977
Resolva is one brand.....just look for glyphosate or wording that “kills down to the roots”
There is a stronger glyphosate made by Resolva too.
B & Q, Poundland, B & M, Home bargains, The Range, etc.


Clear it back, leave it for 10 days or so then spray the new growth. Remember, 5 to 6 hours of dry weather is needed.