to ask you how kill...

[St0pTryingT0MakeFetchHappen]

a Japanese sedge?

I think that's what it is. It's got sharp leaves and is taking up huge amounts of potential veggie growing room
I've tries digging it up but it's growing around a very thick dead rose stump and I can't get under it. I would try burning it but it's right under a thatched wall . I have (inherited from previous owners) another 3 of the b***d things and I want rid!

Honestly, it needs digging up, as does the rose stump. It may be that you'll need to get someone else to help you.

@bridgetreilly oh no! It's going to take a stump grinder then . Unless I go at it with the axe..

I'm afraid so!

Paint stripper kills most things.

Clinic Ace. Kills everything.

@Bringer without contaminating the soil? I would try Kilrock if I didn't want to grow in the bed this year

Will covering it with thick black polythene starve it of light and kill it? It seems to work with most weeds. I hate using polythene but it seems better than weedkiller as the soil stays clean.

@JohnCo -that's a good idea. I've hacked off the leaves to about 6 inches from the base - that might finish it off. Pic attached of b*d sedge (on left).

You might find you can slice the root ball in half with a sharp spade. Jump on it and see if it cuts. If it does, you can get it out in smaller pieces.

Otherwise I second the black plastic, tie it around tightly to stop the air getting in so it can’t breathe either.

Excellent. Tomorrow the sedge gets it

Mattock or pick axe? Or a sharp spade, or a saw/bread knife? Should definitely be possible without weed killer or plastic cover (latter takes ages!!!)