Clearing this un-level weed-ridden brick mess!

A question about : Clearing this un-level weed-ridden brick mess!

Hi all

I've just moved into a new (rented) house and I thought I might take on the challenge of tackling this monstrosity that is the back garden. I thought it would be a good project to get in to, I have no gardening experience.

As you can see, there are weeds everywhere, barely any grass, buried brick, stones etc.

Spent a few hours this afternoon trying to dig out all the weeds, looks a lot better now:

... but where do I go next? Every time other I chuck the spade in I seem to be hitting brick not soil.

Been trying to Google around to find the answer but most of the guides I've found assume you have a reasonably level surface to start with, which I don't.

I'd like to achieve a flat lawn with a small flower bed, nothing too ambitious.

TIA.

Best answers:

• Is it worth it for a rental? IMHO I'd glyphosate it, membrane, 10mm golden gravel and grow some plants in pots you can take with you.
• As above, don't waste too much energy and money on someone else's garden. That said, why not dig an area for the bed, removing stones. But before you do that, glyphosate the area otherwise you will be breaking up weed roots, and sometimes that helps them spread. As for the lawn, maybe just rake the dead weeds off, rake the top to get some tilth, spread some grass seed into the tilth, and cross your fingers.
  Alternatively, kill the weeds, leave an area as path, then sow some flower seeds everywhere, and enjoy a 'meadow'. And cut it back in late autumn. It might be a bit late though for that option. Things like chamomile, nigella, poppies will grow fine.
• As above, but if you want the satisfaction of a good looking back garden while renting a bit of work is needed. I've found a fork is often better than a spade for getting out bricks near the surface and removing weed roots.
  Lightly fork over the area to be lawn, make a pile of the bricks and also try to remove perennial weed roots. Doesnt matter if you dont get every last one, you can aways weed and feed a lawn later and regular cutting will kill off some weeds. Then rake the area to create a tilth of surface soil and make the area as level as possible. Firm it by treading and retreading, then another quick rake to prepare surface for the lawn. For an instant fix apply rolls of turf and keep well watered, for a cheaper method use grass seed.
  Dig the flower bed area to about one foot depth, removing bricks and weed roots and use your brick pile to edge it. Its probably not worth putting in perennials but a display of bedding plants will cheer up the whole garden.
  There are lots of ways to tackle this, but as you've shown a willingness to get stuck in, I thought you wouldnt mind a bit more graft
• Thanks all for suggestions. Certainly will do something along these lines. You're right that I want to find the balance between doing "someone else's" garden and having something nice.
  Will glyphosate the lot, price a few things up and report back soon.
  Thanks!
• What a mess, its certainly wants re-turfing/sowing, but it also needs forking over to at least remove the rubble near the surface, it doesn't require a whole lot else apart from good drainage and level surface (get busy with a rake after you've forked it). Whether you think its all worth it is up to you...
• Folks, just a quick update. I glyphosated the lot with a sprayer and that worked well, however, a few huge weeds have reappeared so may have to give it yet another going over.
  I have begun turning over the garden but all this hot weather hasn't made it an easy task! I have done a third or so of it so far. Following this my brother in law's folks say they have a rotavator I can use so I may just have to borrow that to continue! Then I can continue implementing the above suggestions. When there is a further significant update I shall update you all on the MSE garden!
  Once it's level I can rebuild the shed that has been dismantled. Hopefully this will stop the gf pestering me about my push bike that's in the kitchen. Personally I can't see the problem...it's the perfect place for it if you ask me...
• I'd be very careful of doing anything 'permanent' to the garden of a rented house. I've had friends who've spent a lot of their own time and money making gardens look lovely, only to be stung for 'damages' when they move out because the garden isn't in the same condition as it was when they moved in. Ridiculous, but that's how it is ... so it's probably best to get some kind of permission before you do anything.
• I forgot to provide how this finished up didn't I!
  There was quite a clay like consistency to the ground the more I tried to turn it, making it very hard to work with indeed.
  The landlord visited and had decided I hadn't made any improvement to the garden (Ha! sure...). Next thing I see court summons addressed to him appear through our front door, had bailiffs knock on, the house was on the market, and we got Section 21'd.
  Shame really.
  The new place has a gravel garden...!
• So sorry to hear that darkh0rse. Thanks for the update and I hope that it hasn't put you off gardening in future.