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ianba · Joined: 26 Feb 2003 Posts: 30

A large plot of my garden is over run with nettles and brambles. I tried roundup last year, but it didn't seem to do an awful lot. I've also tried digging them out but the root structure is so solid, I can't break it up. Is there anything that I can do to get rid of them. The only thing that has worked is where I've had bonfires, nothing has grown.

I have no problem killing the ground as I don't plan to grow anything there for the next 18 months, and can add some manure and topsoil if neccessary.

Dewy · Joined: 21 Oct 2004 Posts: 3

You can buy a nettle and brushwood killer from any garden centre.
It is similar to lawn weedkillers in containing 2-4D but a lot stronger.
Take care when spraying not to breathe in the fumes (wear a mask) as it was found to be carcinagenic after used in Vietnam as 'agent orange' defoliator where it was sprayed heavily at full strength.
Also wear rubber gloves to keep it off the skin for the same reason.
You will see nettles droop over within an hour of spraying.
It is a hormonal growth medium so the weeds outgrow their ability to take up food from the soil so keel over and die (as do all lawn weedkillers)
Last time I used it on a patch of nettles they didn't come back for 10 years.
The smell will hang around for a couple of days but this is not harmfull like the actual spray is.