[chrisParticipant]

Here are the photos Charles – we have a sandy soil here. As you can see the green thorns below – not sure what the variety is of these but they are pretty thick in certain areas and not many in other areas. I’d love to just sheet mulch on top of them but do not want a bed full of these in a few years

I guess this is called Green Briar Thorn – Smilax rotundifolia

[chrisParticipant]

Hey thanks Charles – I realize it’s a bit much to just go on a rough description. I really appreciate you taking the time to get back to me.

The area is fairly dry, I guess i could price out what the excavator might cost – to be honest I’d rather spend that money on compost. I’m just worried that this thorn may reappear in my beds in a year or so then I’d be hurtin.

I could post a photo if that may help.

[chrisParticipant]

Hey Charles,

I have cleared the area with a brush cutter which took everything down to about 4 inches. Took the advice from the book and tried to take a garden spade to the thorn crowns – it’s very difficult and I have close to 1/4 acre to get through – there were lots and lots of the green thorns which have underground rhizomes.

In this case do you think I should hire an excavator or bobcat to come in and scrape off that 5″ and level out the ground? I’m afraid of losing some fertility but would still think about sheet mulching and adding the compost after this as well as grind the stumps out.

I’m a bit confused as to where to go from here in my garden?

[chrisParticipant]

Cool will check your new book out. I have a couple of your other books and will go back and look as well. Cheers.

[chrisParticipant]

Thanks Charles. Are there any strategies for dealing with thorns and brambles? I’m thinking about renting a brush cutter to mow that down this fall.

Would a bio film cover or cardboard on the bed areas work to keep these down next spring?

Thanks for the ideas.

[chrisParticipant]

Thanks Simon – I will be using fully composted Cow manure from farms around my area. I’ve used it in other gardens and its worked out amazing in the 2nd and 3rd years. I do have to purchase it but it is about 1/2 the price of compost.

I plan to put the manure down over grass, cardboard – then about 2-3″ of compost on top of that to create my beds. I’m costal so if I can get my hands on seaweed that will be added to the manure as well.

[chrisParticipant]

Ok great thanks – I’m planning on adding a lot of compost to make the beds ( on top of manured grass & cardboard) and looking at two suppliers . I guess I’ll have to see what the tilth is of these composts beforehand.

Thanks again Charles.

[chrisParticipant]

Thanks Charles, looks like I will skip it and put that $$ towards more compost.

[chrisParticipant]

Thanks Don. I would def. be in this for the long haul and put 2-3 ” of compost on it each year. I guess I’m wondering if the weed barrier will help at all – I know people use cardboard and I’ve thought of that as well but the Bio360 comes in easy rolls the size of my planned beds and will probably dissipate by year 2.

Good luck sounds like you are off to a great start.

[Author]

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