Cat/Bird friendly way to get rid of blackberry invasion

[RobinEllacotStrike]

I'm a rubbish gardener.
My smallish garden has been overrun with brambles - initially coming through the fence, and I really need to clear them.
What is the best way to get rid of them & then keep them away.

I bought some weedkiller but I don't want to harm birds, my cats, or fruit trees & I am concerned about using it

We also have Bindweed and very thick ivy coming from both neighbours, which will eventually ruin the fence.
. The irony, because I insisted on detached..

Its more a time thing - I'm single aprent, work FT & its just me who will do anything in garden. For a few years I put in much effort but I have little time. And I'm a beach bum so as soon as its sunny enough to get properly into the garden, I prefer to go to the beach.

I need a manageable garden - I though I was working towards one but clearly I dont have enough time or drive.

I usually go on holiday in spring/Easter etc but I'm not this year. I'll get on top of garden as thase brambles need to go.

Don't relax in autumn - that's often when they decide to travel miles, sending out ridiculously long stems which then root at the ends. I always end up impressed by them. And leave a few - some moth caterpillars eat the leaves

@Nannyfannybanny yes its my own house,but my garden is fairly small.

Thank you for all your advice. I finally got out there & attahced the brambles.

I pulled lots of them up by hand and them out of the ground or cut them off. When I got the the older ones they were too strong to pull up & I had to cut them at the ground elvel. I fill the equivalent of two big wheelie bins before stopping.

OMG I feel so great about what I have done so far. I still have about a third to go - for next weekend.

Before photos were a bit rubbish - to follow.

Before pics

After all my efforts - it took about 3 hours though I broke bramble pulling up with other weeding & garden stuff.

now I have to dig out this rapidly expanding but very ugly clumping grass.

Good work OP!

Great work OP - it’s exhilarating doing garden annihilation!

That clumping grass is a demon. It’s one of my major garden nemesisssesss. It spreads like anything too. Massive shovel to break up the clump is probably needed before you can extract it - I had to call on stronger people to lever it out. You’ll see little shoots of it popping up over and over - luckily the distinctive “w” shape folded leaves are a dead giveaway. Pluck out any smaller ones you can see when you spot them - it’ll save a lot of time later on.

Great work and good luck!

Thank you - it was very satisfying!!

thanks for the intel re the grass @Talipesmum

I am going to have to keep on top of the brambles too.

I never feel like gardening,but I think if I frame it as exercise/activity I'm more inclined to get in.

I'm looking at planting shrubs etc. For several years I put so much energy into trying to make perennial borders but the weeds are too savage & bold. I need low maintenance.

I keep flowers etc for pots/containers.