How to Kill, Clear and Control Bramble (Blackberry bush)

The two methods I use to clear brambles;

  1. Using Glyphosate a systemic weed killer that kills the whole bush including the roots, especially useful when the bramble is growing up through cracks in concrete and brickwork.
  2. Digging out the bramble roots. This method works for small areas, closely planted borders and for organic gardeners.

What is Bramble? (Blackberry bush)

 Brambles commonly known as the blackberry bush. Is the thorny bush that produces the berries used in apple and blackberry pie and jam. However, are a real problem, especially in gardens that have been neglected, growing through shrubs, under hedges, between the cracks in broken concrete and brickwork.

The speed bramble grows, combined with the painful thorns, mean gardens quickly become no-go areas if it's not controlled.

Bramble shoots grow up to 8ft long, when the ends of the shoots touch soil they root and send out more shoots quickly forming a dense thorny blackberry bush. 

The cheapest and best weed killer for clearing bramble

Method 1;Glyphosate the Systemic Weed-killer I use to kill the plant and root.

This is the best and cheapest systemic weed-killer to kill bramble and is the blackberry bush killer I use. Quickest method of clearing a large area of bramble,

I would really advice using this concentrated (Strength 360g/l)  weed killer, rather than the sprays, it is a lot cheaper.

More information click on the amazon pictures. or click on my page shop for weedkiller 

Always check Strength actually is 360g/l when buying concentrated Glyphosate weed-killer from other sources


1 Cut the blackberry bush back and treat with Systemic Weed-killer that kills the plant and root. 

  • Systemic Weed-killer, Glyphosate should be applied in the growing season, from spring until autumn, the best and cheapest chemical weed-killer for treating bramble is Gallup glyphosate, read and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
  • Cut back all stems and runners to about six to twelve inches above the root. It is essential to leave some leaves on the remaining stem. Glyposate based weed killers are systemic,
  • Systemic weed killers kill from the inside out. When sprayed or painted onto the leaves, they are absorbed and move all around the plant to kill the whole plant including the roots.
  • Apply Gallop Glyphosate based weed-killer to the freshly cut ends of the stems, shoots and leaves, thoroughly wetting them to ground-level.
  • Carefully clear every piece of the cut-offs away and bag it to rot down or if you are clearing a large area of bramble burn it on site. In the right conditions the smallest bit will re-root and grow again. 
  • Glyposate based weed- killers are systemic, being taken down to the roots, killing the whole plant including the root system and is deactivated on contact with the soil.   

 


My second method; Cutting the brambles back and digging out the roots.

Cutting the bramble bush back and digging the roots out.

This method works for small areas, closely planted borders and for organic gardeners.

First cut back the Bramble stems to about six inches high, this makes it easier to get to the roots. A Strimmer will save time. However, you will need a sharp saw for thicker stems.

Next dig out the bramble stump and the roots. It is really important to remove all of the root system, brambles will regenerate from well below soil level. Realistically it is almost impossible to remove every bit of root, so you will need to keep an eye out for new growth and pull it up. Bramble will continue to produce new growth for ages and grows fast.

Correct Disposal of thorny bramble growth and roots is key. Leaving it in a pile in a corner of the garden will just create another Bramble bush problem, as it will send out new roots wherever it touches soil. If it is just a single bush cut it into small pieces and rot it down in a plastic bag. When I'm clearing a large area I use a shredder and bag it to rot down, or preferably burn it.

Want a truly organic way to kill Brambles?

Just enjoy the blackberries you could be harvesting and make a lot of jam and apple and blackberry pies.

Keep or borrow a few goats. Goats will clear a bramble patch faster than anything without using weed-killer.

 

Which method works best to get rid of bramble bushes: digging out the bramble root or killing the bush and root with Glyphosate weed-killer ?

A single bramble shoot can quickly become a Blackberry bush jungle and difficult to eradicate once established.

  • If your garden is clear of Bramble, keep it that way by pulling or digging out young seedlings as soon as they appear, saves a lot of hard work later.
  • There isn't a new miracle shortcut. However, it can be done.
  • Bramble control methods depend on what sort of Blackberry bush problem you have; if you have brambles growing through shrubs and/or perennials then a weed-killer may be difficult, so the only option is to dig out the bramble root. This could mean lifting your garden plants to get at, and dig out the bramble roots and then replanting the plants.
  • If you work and have limited time for the garden, a large area of bramble could take months to clear doing it the organic way without using weed-killer, whilst the Glyphosate weed-killer method could be carried out over a weekend.
  • If you have a large garden taken over by brambles and not in too much of a rush. Try clearing one section at a time by covering the area with a heavy grade weed suppressing membrane. This won't kill off the roots. However, it will make digging up the roots a lot easier.
  • If your neighbour neglects the garden! It will be almost impossible to stop bramble creeping over, under and through neighbouring fences and walls and growing into blackberry bushes. You could send them a link to this page or try asking them to control it. However, it is probably easier and safer to check now and again and pull or dig up the seedling. Making sure to pull up the whole root, before it takes hold and becomes a problem.
  • Using Machinery to clear Bramble.

    Rotavators won't touch thick blackberry roots and will just bounce of the top especially on clay or dry soil. If you can hire a mini-digger costs about £180 for a weekends hire. It will save so much time and hard labour clearing and digging out the whole plant including the roots.

     

 

Clearing brambles Organically without using chemicals

Want a truly natural and organic way to kill Brambles?

  • Just enjoy the blackberries you could be harvesting and make Blackberry jam and apple and blackberry pies.
  • Keep or borrow a few goats, goats will clear a bramble patch faster than anything without using weed-killer.

 

 

This is the best and cheapest systemic weed-killer to kill bramble and is the blackberry bush killer I use. For a quick way to clear bramble, I would really advice using this concentrated (Strength 360g/l)  Glyphosate weed killer, rather than the sprays. It is a lot cheaper. 

More information on my page  shop for weed

Always check Strength actually is 360g/l when buying concentrated Glyphosate weed-killer from other sources


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