How do I sort this out

Ouch! I don't envy you at all - it's gigantic!

 

Yeah, there certainly are a few nettles...I am estimating 3 tons or more moved today in clippings....unfortunately not a great deal of grass found.
So what to do next? Bearing in mind the severity of the situation, and the fact the ground is lumpy and bumpy, im guessing rotovate and level, removing as many roots as possible?
I like the spray option Marley. If I done this I take it the roots would be dead, and I could then use a digger to level out the land. I dunno.

 

Just keep strimming everything that pops up. Why not plant a small wood of native trees and shrubs? Lot easier than mowing a boring old lawn in the long term.

 

Just a thought, Liquidforce, but do you know anyone local who keeps free-range pigs? You could rent out the land to them for a year - a small herd of pigs will eat everything, including roots; turn the land over, and return the nutrients to the soil. Cheaper than hiring a rotovator, cleaner than spraying with herbicide, and you'll get some rent money and maybe some free-range pork into the bargain.

Geometer

 

That is a brilliant idea! They really will root out the nettle remains and dung the land too. The only problem will be that you will need to keep them on site and so fencing wil be required.

 

Temporary electric fencing; I've seen it done - no problem.

 

Yep - that's the answer then. Roast pork all round folks!

 

Liking the pig idea, might be worth doing on the 2 acres I have behind this field....
But as for this field, have I got this right...
1. cut it down,
2 spray with weed killer,
3 rotovate,
4 pick out the roots etc,
5 level and roll,
6 seed

Sorry to ask so many questions, but I do not want to do it wrong and have to start again!!!!
Everyone agree with this process? Anyone bored and wanna do it for me............

 

The non persistant weed killers work through the leaves. So if you cut the nettles down first there will be no leaves for the weedkiller to work on. That leaves you only with the option of a weedkiller that works on the ground ie. poisoning the soil. So you then have to ask yourself how long it will take to recover before it will grow anything else - like grass.

No point in spraying AFTER cutting down, but others may be better informed than me on weedkillers currently available.

 

Foeget the strimmer..borrow some sheep or goats they will soon sort it out, they will even leave you some free fertiliser!