Stopping kids walking through scrubland

they'll establish much better and faster with a good root system, so I'd try for digging deep! good luck, Rich!

 

Thanks all.

Hundreds of cuts and stings later (not to mention funny looks from the neighbours and the kids in question shouting "what you doing?"), I now have approximately thirty, 1 - 4m bramble plants planted in. It took me over an hour to get them out and then back in again, and I've only managed to cover 1/3 of the area in question, but I'm starting to look like I've been in a fight with a clowder of cats.

I started well, getting most of the root systems, but by the end, I was just slicing 3" sections. One of the kids (who doesn't hang around this area, but often wanders into the house uninvited (he has autism I'm told)) was already warning me to put them back. When I informed him I was planting them, not taking them out, he then warned me he would pull them out when I wasn't around. Charming. Obviously likes things the way they are regardless.

Anyhow, my plan for now is let the brambles establish themselves, add the ivy in the gaps and see how it goes if it doesn't get pulled out. There are two other ways into the area, but I've a feeling if I try to block all three at once with immature plants, they will trample over them or pull them out.

 

They will soon grow..had to laugh at your stings and cuts..told you i was a sadist..if you see any thistles in seed now or nettles just scatter the seed and they wont even notice them emerging..some of the brambles probably have seed on them which will scatter also..you could do with some sharp grass seed also some that slices you like ribbons..my pampas grass does that to our arms when we are cutting it..

 

Where's the best place to get the grass seed? Just a garden centre?

 

dont really know i am sure one of the profesional gardeners on here would know though..try asking dendrobium even if you have to send her a message..

 

Hi Richard, that lad that has autism BTW is not being deliberatly difficult, any change really freaks them out! My friend won't take his son into a supermarket because he remembers where everything is on the shelves and it upsets him to see it changed!

They need a lot of understanding, and perhaps the slow growing from seed maybe more acceptable to him?

That piece of wild ground has probably been his sanctuary for a long time!

 

I get my grass seed in B+Q!! :D

 

I know what you're saying, I've worked with kids with autism before when I worked in a City Learning Centre. The reason I mentioned that 'I've been told' as if he does indeed have it, it is far less severe than some of the kids I've come across - so much so that you wouldn't know he had it unless you were told. I think in this case, it is actually as much because of his personality as the autism itself (and yes, I realise autism affects personality).

I don't think it's been his sanctuary as I've never seen him there before, he only came along this time as I was there. That's nothing compared to what he's usually like. I often hear a voice and he's standing behind me in the house! I'm trying to do as much of the work as possible myself, and he's always recommending tradesmen lol. He's fairly harmless besides the trespassing lol.

Over half the brambles have began to wilt. Are they likely to come back around?

 

Hi Rich,

I've had similar wilting when I've transplanted things before in the summer - I've found that they kick up a stink for the current year, then bounce back the year after. Can't say I've done brambles, but assume they would follow a similar pattern as they're pretty tough customers!

 

you just need some rain and they will bounce back to life..The grass seed i mentioned isnt the sort you get at b&q..you know sometimes if you are in the countryside and you run your hands through some wild grass it shreds your fingers thats the sort i meant..only i havnt got a clue what its called..as i am really just into herbs and the odd wildflower ..you had better start praying for some rain..on your brambles..but they are really hardy and will soon bounce back..

 

label the area an "educational" garden and they will not come within a mile !!!

 

Brilliant, Steve!!!! :D As an ex-teacher of kids like these, I'm convinced you've got the answer!