Churn up the earth with a stump grinder

[Lambstales]

and woe is me.

A tree died halfway down the garden that hid 'the jungle' behind it. Everything has gone. No more brambles and only some ivy roots that were too near the wall for the machine.

The whole area is now covered in bindweed. (I know each bit of root will grow.)
WTF do I do now............at least we could eat the blackberries:(

[Rhubarbgarden]

To get rid of bindweed, sow grass seed or turf over the area. Mow regularly for about five years. Then you can strip the turf back off and replant.

[Ferguson]

In our experience the ONLY sure way of getting rid of bindweed is systemic weed killer. We mix it into cheap wallpaper paste, and paint it on. Wear rubber gloves, and use a brush appropriate to the area to be treated. So for large areas, use a soft broom, or for smaller areas, or where is has climbed amongst plants you want to keep, use a smaller paint brush.

Another plant that we spent years digging out, was acanthus. We quite liked it, but wanted something else in the area, and that will regrow from tiny bits of root.

[Lambstales]

Thank you for the ideas. I might well use both methods but in different areas.
I am fine about using systemic weed killer but have never heard the wallpaper paste tip. Genius! Now for some dry weather again ...

Funnily enough I had already put some grass seed down and thought all was lost. Seems not.

[Ferguson]

You can buy paint-on gel weed killer, but much cheaper to make your own; we mix a Curver box-full of it, and use a broom to apply it!

[funnyperson]

Roundup is made by a company called Mosanto which for all sorts of reasons needs boycotting anyway.

[Lambstales]

Roundup is indeed made by Monsanto.

I do believe I can buy glyphosate weed killer without adding to Monsanto's coffers.