Turning woods into farmland

[NHtransplant]

Hello all,
My question concerns converting overgrown woodland to usable farmland. We have a 50'x50' space that we've cut down of all young saplings and would like to convert to usable direct sow garden space. The problem is the little root systems of all the saplings are still propagated throughout the area and we are unsure of the best way to remove them and till the area. Any and all input is greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[uncle Will in In.]

Is it possible to dig around the stumps enough to hook a log chain to them???? If you can, hook a big tractor to the chain and pull out the stumps. Most of the roots will come out with the stump..It would have been easier to pull out the trees before they were sawed off. Finding a big tractor might be a problem..

[copperkid3]

Fence it in and get a pair of hogs.

Place them within confinement.

Feed and water them for 6 weeks.

Remove from pen and wolah!

Problem solved.


(And your 'garden' is tilled as well.)

[primal1]

check out permaculture food forest as an alternative?

[am1too]

I would dig most of them out as I have done with my garden patch. A 50 by 50 is not all that hard. I did this right down to the clay sub soil. I then mixed close to 50% compost in. I have no weeds and no tree sprouts. All the soil in my garden has been through a 1/4 inch screen. It was definitely worth the time invested.

Did dig out bout 4 stumps that were 8 to 16 inches. If I expand the garden I will get my neighbor to take the stumps out with a back hoe. He said he can do bout 30 in 4 hours or less. It would be worth way more than he would charge me.