Once you have seen a bramble root you will never forget it, Some can be absolutely colossal, and the roots go down forever.

If you happen to have Blackberry brambles in the ground that you wish to grow in, here are some helpful tips on how to get rid of them:

1. Cutting back brambles will keep them under control, but won't remove the problem. If you don't have many on on your plot you may want to consider this option.

2. Weedkiller will reduce them - but may take several applications over a long period of time, and not an option if you want to remain organic. Also if you have lots of brambles this will cost a small fortune.

3. Burning - Lots of people have suggested burning them, either dowsing in petrol and setting light to it all, put a bonfire on top, or take a blow torch to the roots. I've not tried it, as my site is next to a road, but lots of people have said this worked for them

4. Dig it out - Really the only way to be sure you get it, and its great exercise. Cut back all the brambles with shears or heavy duty strummer, leave about a foot on the stems so that you can find where they are. Rake away any chopped branches ( you may want to wait some weeks for these to start dying off ). Then dig out the roots, I prefer to use a spade, as I broke two forks doing this. Get the spade under the root and pull up, repeat from all four sides, and keep going around until it comes loose. The important but is to get as much of the root out as possible. Then dispose of the roots off site or burn them. Then Double dig the whole plot removing any further bits of root you come across. They will certainly poke their heads up again the next spring, but too much less degree. Just dig them out every time they pop up.