When it comes to invasive plants, brambles are probably one of the worst kinds to be overrun with. Not only are they a stubborn species to get rid of but they're also dangerous to have around. We asked experts how to get rid of brambles, so that you don't have to battle with them all season.
Even though brambles aren't one of the most common invasive plants, the chances that you've had a nasty run-in with them at some point are high. The biggest problem with then? The thorns. They'll hook into your fingers, and snag your clothes, making brambles a risk to have around and a challenge to remove from your garden.
How to get rid of brambles: an expert's guide
Similar to how you'd get rid of bamboo, there are some particular steps and tools needed to truly get rid of brambles for good. Whilst brambles won't spread as quickly or ruthlessly as bamboo or ivy, it is important to stay on top of their maintenance and prevention.
Here's what you'll need...
- Spade
- Fork
- Secateurs
- Gardening gloves
- Brush cutter or Strimmer
- Herbicide (optional)
RRP: £14.99 | These Gold Leaf RHS collections Chelsea Ladies Comfortable Leather Gardening Gloves are perfect for any job you need to tackle in your garden, even for pulling out stubborn brambles.
RRP: £26.49 | It's always best to invest a little more money into your gardening tools if you can. Not only so they do the job right they also last longer. This one from B&Q has a hammer-finished blade and comes with a year guarantee.
RRP: £33.95 | If you're looking to make the task a little easier, investing in a strimmer is the way to go. It's also a great way to take out the bulk of the brambles without getting your hands cut up.
1. Check for wildlife
Removing invasive plants can be an absolute nightmare, as you may have experienced when trying to get rid of ivy in your garden. However, they are often a home for common wildlife in your garden, so it's important to check for any little visitors before you start removing them.
"Brambles’ dense, thorny stems provide shelter for small mammals such as hedgehogs, as well as nest sites for many garden birds. Before you begin cutting them back, always check you are not disturbing any wildlife first," says Paul Hicks, Marketing and Gardening Product Manager at STIHL GB.
2. Trim the pre-established bush
Should you have left your garden to the wayside for longer than you planned, then you might have been met with a full-grown bramble bush. When this is the case, it's now a matter of removal, and the first step is cutting it down.
"Begin by shortening stems to around 30cm/1ft and then cut back brambles with secateurs. If brambles are tangled or have grown into shrubs or hedges, carefully cut the stems in several places before pulling them in manageable sections to clear them," says Paul.
Whilst hedge cutters might not make the list of the essential tools every gardener needs, they're absolutely perfect for this particular job and foliage maintenance in general.
3. Remove the roots
Once you've cleared the cut stems away, don't feel tempted to use them on your homemade compost pile, as that can risk regrowth and possible spread. Next, it's time to tackle the hardest part, which is the roots.
"Once all the brambles are cleared away, dig out the main stump and as many roots as possible with a sharp spade and fork. Then monitor for future regrowth, digging out any new stems as they appear," instructs Paul.
Then, incinerate the rooms once they've dried and turned brown or take them to your local recycling centre as green waste.
4. Use chemicals if necessary
If you're not participating in the rewilding trend and are more than happy to use a little more aggressive method, then herbicides can help with bramble removal.
Take precautions when using herbicides and make sure your skin is protected as well as your airways.
FAQs
Have can you stop brambles growing back?
The best ways to remove brambles from the garden are the ways that ensure that they don't come back. It's not easy, but it's doable.
Georgina O'Grady, Managing Director at Evergreen Direct, says, "to prevent brambles from regrowing, I suggest sticking to a routine where you clear and monitor the area on a regular basis. You'll want to apply a thick layer of organic mulch to the soil as a way of stifling the remaining roots."
In truly extreme cases, Georgina suggests using a barrier cloth to limit any future sprouting. This can also be a great opportunity to use old towels in your garden as they can also act as a barrier to stunt unwanted growth.
Why do brambles grow in your garden?
If you're asking how to get rid of brambles then you're probably also wondering why a bramble bush has chosen to haunt your garden. Similar to how some of the best plants every garden needs might particularly thrive in your space, brambles react well to certain soil conditions.
"Brambles flourish in gardens because of their robust growth pattern and spread quickly through networks of thorny branches. They often take root in neglected or overgrown areas with poor soil conditions, but can also infiltrate well-kept gardens if left unchecked," explains Georgina.
This is why it's so important to know how to sort your garden out and regularly go out there to maintain it. If left for too long, your outdoor space could be taken over by invasive plants.
The most important piece of advice that every expert gave me when I asked them how to get rid of brambles in a garden was to go slow and steady with the stems. The thorny stems of brambles can form a protective habitat for nesting birds and small animals.
The plant can also attract wildlife like bees and butterflies due to the flowers that grow on them. So if you do choose to remove it, take it steady so you don't destroy any animal homes.
