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Nicky
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Location: Scotland
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 38
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08-06-2015, 06:43 PM

What's the most effective way to clear a garden border?

Hi All,

My garden's really overgrown, I've been slowly working on it, the next step is to dig the borders. They're full of tall weeds, tall grass, a few scattered ferns and brambles. I've cut a lot back, but want to get the roots out. I only have a shovel, I can buy more equipment but don't have a big budget. Is there a tool, method, or anything you can suggest that would make this easier? It's quite a daunting task! I don't know what I'll do with the borders once they're cleared, but they really can't stay the way they are.

Thanks!
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Lacey10
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Location: Nr Ireland
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 19,204
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08-06-2015, 07:19 PM
I use a twist Weeder for any weeds in mine,cheap as chips and really good Sorry can't post a link but they are available on ebay I have my borders polythened and barked.Mostly hit rock in my garden I live on The Rock Road I have potted plants in the beds and some ornaments,looks lovely and hassle free
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Chris
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Location: Lincolnshire
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08-06-2015, 08:03 PM
We've always pulled out what we can then use a fork to loosen the ground and pull some more. After that, just dig over with a spade.
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lovemybull
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Location: North Jersey USA
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08-06-2015, 08:37 PM
I've even used a butcher knife to cut through really dense roots. You need to take it slowly and carefully, you don't want the knife to snap.
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Trouble
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Location: Romford, uk
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08-06-2015, 09:38 PM
A fork and possibly ratchet pruner for thick roots that you can't dig out, I had roots that covered the whole width of the garden. Dug out what I could and lopped the rest off.
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lovemybull
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Location: North Jersey USA
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09-06-2015, 01:29 AM
A nightmare for me was peppermint. Think it was passive aggression on my Dad's part He gave me four small mint plants one time without a warning how fast they mutate. Within a year they had criss-crossed all the plant beds choking most of the surrounding plants. I was pulling up miles of mint root. Even now a rogue one pops up from time to time.
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brenda1
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Location: Lancing West Sussex
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09-06-2015, 07:24 AM
Teist weeders are very good. We have one and it is ok. Also if you make the ground around the root wet they come out easier.
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mjfromga
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Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
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09-06-2015, 07:47 AM
Want to break a standard weeding device? Try using it to get up roots of bushes etc. Wait for a heavy rain and get your pitchfork and shovel be ready to use some muscle. Given time and effort, you should be able to get most of the roots up.
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lovemybull
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Location: North Jersey USA
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09-06-2015, 05:26 PM
The only problem is that after a heavy rain you're going to have earthworm bits flying in every direction...ewwww, but yes the ground will definitely be easier to work with.
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Rosebud77
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Location: The Kingdom, Ireland
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10-06-2015, 05:52 AM
What a grand crowd you are with not one suggestion of weedkiller....I am working new ground here and the only easy bit of ground was the patch I covered with black plastic last autumn.. NB There will be seeds that will be activated by the digging so they will come up but weaker each time. Enjoy the achievement! I love working the soil ....
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