Best way to get rid of docks, brambles and nettles?

[L&B]

I did another post a little while ago about managing land.
We've just got our first ever plot - just over 2acres. Sadly it has a good few patches of dock, bramble and nettles.

Originally our local farmer said he would spray it for us, but he's now proving impossible to get hold of (v busy guy) and I'd really rather get the majority of the problem sorted before the horses move on (in a couple of weeks). Anyone have any alternative ideas/ by hand ideas?

 

[be positive]

Nettles and thistles will be dying back now so spraying would probably be a waste of money, I would strim the worst bits and tackle them next year when they start growing again, bramble are tougher but a good strimmer will do them if you can collect up and move, or cut them by whatever means you have or if a really big patch fence off and do bit by bit until they can be sprayed next year along with the rest.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Strimmer for docks and nettles, brushcutter for brambles. Next spring you might be able to use a weed burner (big one, not the tiny thing from Aldi) to get rid of the nettles and docks, if you get to them early enough. If you could borrow some sheep, they would sort it out in no time.

 

[Carrottom]

I find it best to cut the docks by hand this time of year, put the seed stems in a sack and remove them to prevent them spreading. If you hack down the nettles with a hook the horses sometimes eat them when they wilt and th6sting has gone. Brambles can be cut back with loppers and thorn proof gloves to remove.

 

[Goldenstar]

Nettles strim or top very easy to control and get rid of ( you will what to consider a spot to leave the nettles as some butterflies and moths use them for overwintering).

Docks strim or top will control them put not get rid of them you will need to spray in the spring onto green growth and strim from there .
Bramble very tenacious cut cut and cut again or poison but they will be back .
Docks and brambles you can contain and control but eradicating them in my view takes too much chemical , I live with mine and stop them getting out of hand .

 

[meleeka]

I use a brush cutter for brambles and nettles (horse’s love wilted nettles) and an ancient ride on mower for docks. Each year there’s getting less using this method. The horses are likely to keep your brambles from coming back once you’ve cleared them.

 

[L&B]

Thanks so much for the advice all! The land is coming on wonderfully and all thanks to the help here

 

[Polos Mum]

My very knowledgable local farmer says 'Spray in May = stay away' so don't bother with spraying now.

I pull my nettles then watch the horses scoff them 24 hours later - they seem to like them once wilted a bit.

A good brush cutter will have a good go at the rest.

It's a long job so expect it to take 2-3 years to get it how you want it - some weed seeds can be dormant for up to 20 years so you will always have some to do.

 

[trainwithbrain]

Grazon 90 but do it round May time.

 

[cauda equina]

Mow, mow and mow again
Eventually they will give up