Total defoliant needed - something like Agent Orange

[revpat55]

I have a house in France that I visit about 4 times a year. It has 2 gardens - one is approx 1500 sq yards & the other is 900 sq yds. With the best will in the world I can't keep on top of them & as I left there today I was so disheartened to see the shoulder high wild grass, weeds & rapeseed plants mocking me.
I have tried Roundup brushwood killer, sodium chlorate (which is supposed to kill EVERYTHING) and a Bayer product for hard to manage weeds, but all to no avail.
Does anyone know of an effective weedkiller I can use? Ideally something that will say "Caution - this WILL kill everything for 5 years" (thats when I will be moving there so I will have the time to tackle them with a spade). Any advice (including how to make Agent Orange) gratefully accepted, but please NOT weed membrane as I need to level the ground before that can go down

[Thunderbird+]

Hi revpat, Rather than trying to bludgon your gardens into submision with industrial stregnth chemicals, why not hire a local guy to tend the ground and keep an eye on the place for you, while you are away ?
Just a thought. Good Luck. Tbird+

[revpat55]

great idea Tbird+, but I live in a small village & there is no one nearby I can hire to look after the gardens (tried that), but thanks for replying

[landscaper2]

Mmmm, sounds as tho you need to spend a little of the anticipated money you will probably make when you move! No matter where you are, there will be a local contractor with a brushcutter. Hopefully this could be be done by tractor. He could then carry out, maybe 4 visits a year. Rather than kill-all and have a moonscape you will have different, natural flora and forna to enjoy on your quarterly visits. You will also have made a contact in the local comunity. Go on, give it a try - enjoy the plants, dont hate them!

[revpat55]

Hi Landscaper2 - I posted this question on BBC message board as well & got phenomenal answers from 007-was-a-gardener, a lady in NZ who has been in the horticulture business for many years. I think I will take the route of letting the wildlife enjoy the wilderness for a few years cos as she pointed out, it's ok nuking it now but what happens when I want to plant it up in the future. I am surrounded by fields so let nature rule! Thanks for taking the time to answer