Briars are stubborn weeds with prickly stems that can quickly take over open areas in your yard or garden. Their sharp thorns make them difficult and painful to remove by hand. While herbicides provide a quick fix, many homeowners prefer natural methods to avoid introducing harsh chemicals. Thankfully, there are several effective ways to get rid of briars organically.
Smothering Briars with Mulch or Cardboard
One of the simplest natural briar killers is using mulch or cardboard to smother the plants. Pile on a thick layer of mulch such as wood chips, shredded leaves, straw, or compost at least 8-12 inches deep over the briars. Deprive them of sunlight and the plants will eventually die off after a few months. You can also cut cardboard to fit over patches. Weigh it down with rocks or boards. This blocks light while also suppressing any new growth.
Manual Removal by Digging
For young briar plants or isolated clumps, manual digging can eliminate them completely. Use a spade, garden fork or hoe to undermine and pry out the entire root ball. The key is severing the main taproot below ground so it cannot resprout. Remove all roots and runners. This labor-intensive approach works best on small infestations. Wear gloves and long sleeves to avoid scratches.
Smothering with Landscape Fabric
Landscape fabric provides a tough physical barrier against briars when installed properly. Cut fabric pieces larger than the infested area and secure the edges with stakes or rocks. No sunlight can penetrate, starving plants. Leave the fabric in place for a full growing season until all vegetation is dead. Since landscape fabric allows water to pass through, you won’t have to worry about runoff or pooling underneath.
Intensive Mowing
A less labor-intensive solution is to mow briars frequently through the growing season Set the mower deck as low as possible and mow every 2 weeks. By constantly cutting off the stems and foliage, you’ll eventually deplete the root reserves The plant loses energy regrowing top growth. Make sure to wear long pants and sleeves when mowing briars to prevent scratches.
Applying Corn Gluten Meal
This organic pre-emergent herbicide disrupts the germination of briar seeds and seedlings. It does not kill mature plants but helps prevent new ones. Apply corn gluten meal at a rate of 20 lbs per 1000 sq ft in early spring. Reapply every 4-6 weeks through fall to inhibit briars from taking hold. It provides natural weed prevention without chemicals.
Torching Individual Plants
For periodic sprout removal, a propane torch can effectively desiccate briars. Use a sweeping motion and scorch each plant base until leaves and stems are completely shriveled. Focus heat around the soil line to damage roots. Repeated torching will help finish off any re-growth. For safety, keep a fire extinguisher or hose on hand. Never leave a burning torch unattended.
By combining mulching, manual removal, mowing, torching, and landscape fabric you can achieve natural, chemical-free briar control. While it may take longer than herbicides, the gentler impact on the environment makes it worthwhile. Just be persistent, methodical, and patient in your approach. With some dedication, you can remove briars organically and reclaim your space.
Natural Homemade Weed Killer Recipe Tested by Lawn Care Pro
FAQ
What is the best spray for killing briars?
What poison will kill briars?
Will vinegar kill greenbrier?
How do you kill briars?
How do you get rid of briars?
Small infestations of young briars can be effectively removed manually or with boiling water, vinegar, or torching. For large overgrowth, smothering with mulch/cardboard, solarization, or competitive planting works well to defeat briars organically. Herbicides provide the quickest knockdown of extensive briar thickets.
What kills Briars?
Look for brush killers containing triclopyr or dicamba. Products like Ortho Max Poison Ivy and Tough Brush Killer, Compare-N-Save Concentrate Grass & Weed Killer, or RM43 43% Glyphosate Plus Weed Preventer wipe out briars down to the roots. What kills briars permanently? For permanent briar eradication, you need to destroy the root system.
Are Briars hard to kill?
Briars are thorny plants that can invade your yard, garden, farm, or land and cause problems for you and your desirable plants. Briar patches grow as vines, bushes, or shrubs; some produce fruit such as blackberries or brambles. Greenbriar vines can be hard to kill because they have deep roots that can resprout if not removed completely.
How do you kill a saw Briar?
Detach the saw briars from safe plants and lay them off the ground or on a plastic sheet. Shade the useful plants or cover them for protection from the herbicide. Then make a herbicide mixture and spray it on the leaves of the briar as much as you can. Then leave the plants like that for two days to absorb the herbicide.
How do you kill Briar bushes?
Digging involves using a shovel or a hoe to dig up the briars and their roots from the ground. Spraying involves using an herbicide with the active ingredient glyphosate to kill the briars and their roots above ground. Mowing involves regularly cutting down the briars above ground to weaken them and prevent them from flowering and seeding.
How do you get rid of Briar grass?
Manual Removal: Grab gloves and uproot the briars. This preserves the grass. Vinegar Solution: Mix one part vinegar and three parts water in a spray bottle. Apply it on briars. This targets and destroys the plants. Smothering Technique: Spread mulch or newspaper to suffocate the briars. This obstructs their growth and kills them.