Bracken

Am planning to start new border along a bank, where there is and will continue to be, no doubt, quite a lot of bracken. (There's also brambles etc). What is the best thing to do to get rid of the bracken that has spread into what was a bit of untended garden and to stop it re-infesting the border? Will round up or similar get rid of the bracken that is there? To stop it coming back from the bank, would a physical barrier be best? How deep?

 

Bracken is very persistent and will grow back from any roots left in the ground, so it's probably best to use Roundup although it may take more than one attempt, just spray any re-growth. I don't think a physical barrier will stop it. Don't forget that Roundup kills just about anything it touches, so be careful of 'drift' should there be any plants in the area you want to keep.

 

Its going to be an ongoing battle to keep the bracken out. A barrier wont work, as bracken outside your jurisdiction which just release spores which drift on the air and some will land in your garden, so it will just keeping coming.

Once its under control though, it shouldn't be too difficult to keep under control, as young bracken plants are very easy to spot.