I have moved into a flat that has an overgrown garden - in fact, it doesn't seem to ever have been a garden before. Half of it is covered in brambles and the other half has a bed of ivy spreading from the back wall. There are a few trees as well, all having ivy climbing up them.
I am looking for a quick fix as I won't be living here for years. So far I have attacked the brambles and cut them right back, and plan for the next step to be strimming the whole garden and then getting a rotorvator to turn the soil and get rid of the bramble roots (some are pretty big) and any ivy roots that are under there. I then want to try planting a lawn and then later might add plants to the borders or have a vegetable patch (one step at a time). If I manage to have somewhere nice to sit out this Summer I'll be very happy.
I have been told that I should attack the garden with roundup but I am reluctant to use chemicals. From what I have seen the soil seems pretty healthy - it is quite sticky with lots of worms.
My lack of gardening experience is probably apparent. Does any of this sound like it just won't work? Any tips would be most welcome.
Many thanks
I am looking for a quick fix as I won't be living here for years. So far I have attacked the brambles and cut them right back, and plan for the next step to be strimming the whole garden and then getting a rotorvator to turn the soil and get rid of the bramble roots (some are pretty big) and any ivy roots that are under there. I then want to try planting a lawn and then later might add plants to the borders or have a vegetable patch (one step at a time). If I manage to have somewhere nice to sit out this Summer I'll be very happy.
I have been told that I should attack the garden with roundup but I am reluctant to use chemicals. From what I have seen the soil seems pretty healthy - it is quite sticky with lots of worms.
My lack of gardening experience is probably apparent. Does any of this sound like it just won't work? Any tips would be most welcome.
Many thanks