How can I get this damn Pampas Grass out of my garden?

Question

It's been there for years, and it's HUGE.
Yesterday, I took the garden shears to it and cut it down to a big clump.
Then I took a saw to it and cut it right back to its core. Now it's just a solid black stump about 2 feet across by 1 foot high.
I want to dig this stump out, but I've already broken 1 spade and 2 forks trying to do this. The handles just snapped with the sheer weight of pressure involved.
I don't want to use any kind of weed-killer or chemicals because I'm wanting to plant an apple tree in the hole when I eventualy get it out.
I can't afford to keep replacing broken spades and forks, so has anyone got any suggestions?

Unfortunately the plant's location prohibits burning as an option.

Answer 1

i was wondering if you could use a product called root rot on it. It is used on trees.
Ask at your local garden centre.

Answer 2

Here's some stuff I copied from a website. I've removed Pampas from my yard, and it does take some hacking and hueing. I cut it vertically into sections with my chainsaw which helped. Once I even pulled the mass out by wrapping it with a chain and pulling it out with my jeep.
Anyway, here's some other info:

Pull seedlings by hand or with the help of a pick, Pulaski, or shovel.
Cut larger plants and remove root mass. First carefully cut and dispose of all seed plumes, including immature ones that have yet to emerge from their sheath because they are able to mature.
Next cut stems and leaf blades, near ground level with a Pulaski, Swedish brush ax or chainsaw. Some practitioners prefer use of a chainsaw to remove the mss of leaves, whiles others caution that this is dangerous (the chainsaw user must kneel and cannot see the blade) as well as slow (the grass quickly clogs the chainsaw guard). An expertly sharpened machete is also effective, but like the chainsaw, is an appropriate tool only for experienced professionals.
Finally remove the root mass. If it is very large, use the ax side of the Pulaski to chop into 4 or 5 inch squares, then use the flat side of the Pulaski to hoe out the pieces.
Pull very large plants with a truck hitch. This is possible if the pampas or jubata grass is near the road and a strong truck is available. Place a choker cable around the plant, digging it into the ground a little behind the plant so it won't slip off. Secure the cable to the truck hitch, and pull the plant out easily.
Cut the plumes of plants you are unable to remove, as a temporary containment measure. Cut the plumes while they are still pink or purple (prior to producing seeds) - typically August to October near the coast, earlier inland and in hotter areas. Note however that cut plumes can produce another seed plume from the same stalk in as little as 1-2 weeks.
Foliar spray 2 % glyphosate on all green growth during the active period (November - July or even August -September along the central Coast.) Spraying minimizes soil disturbance, but the herbicide must contact the entire leaf surface, a difficult task for large plants. An additional caution: plants that appear dead soon after spraying may survive and regrow the following year.
Cut and treat. As an alternative to foliar spraying, you could cut away the stems and leaves then apply herbicide o cut the stems near the root mass. Practitioners report mixed results with this technique.

good luck

Answer 3

Ok, Lets look at the big picture here. Have you thought about plan "B" ? What if you can't remove the pampas grass. Have you considered placing your new addition "Apple Tree" some where else in the garden? You might have to resort to this option. Ok with that said. You might pour diesel on and around the stump of the grass. After time it might kill it and then you can remove it. Once removed you will have to remove the dirt that has been effected by the diesel and replace with fill dirt. Then you can plant your tree as desired.

Answer 4

If you want to remove it without waiting months for it to rot, you have to dig right down and free the roots. Get a heavy pick axe to dig. Do not try to force it without freeing the roots since it is going to take a lot of force to do that. You could rig up a tripod over it and use a hoist and ropes to pull it out by brute force, but persistent digging is the only way to do it otherwise.

Answer 5

I had the same problem, I tried everything from root rot to poisoning it with salt. In the end the only thing that worked was burning. We had a nice bonfire out of the the stump and simply dug out what was left.

Answer 6

Hey, stop fighting it and spray it with roundup.wait until it has put back some greenery and give it a strong dose. roundup will biodegrade quickly and besides ,roundup has to be sprayed directly on a plant to kill it. will not be a problem to plant the tree.I understand you can drink the stuff and it won't harm you,but don't try it. i have been there before.

Answer 7

Drill a few holes in the trunk and insert salt, plants don't like this. Otherwise, buy an axe and chop and chop and chop and.... you get the picture.

Answer 8

If you dont want to continue digging and chopping get a small excavotor, about 1.5 tonne machine, and use pwer of hydraulics to dig it out

Answer 9

A pickaxe? Blasted things are a nightmare to get rid of though. Don't be tempted to try and burn it - they love that and grow back even better!

Answer 10

put lots of hot boiling water on it. then solarise it. cover it all by a black plastic. it will take more than a month but if u don't want to use chemicals then u will have to give it time to die.