Weeds weeds weeds

[Scarecrowdave]

OMG how prolific are these flamin things i cleared all the weeds around my potatoes less than a week ago been along today and they are almost hidden is there another way of weeding other than pulling them out and what is the best way to stay on top of them especially as I work shifts
Is it best to burn them ?

[WeeGarden]

I use a Dutch hoe and give it a quickrun over once a week or so. Bigger weeds I dig it with a hand trowel. It’s less back breaking as you can get a load of baby seedlings with the hoe at once without bending down.

[bario1]

Don’t try burning them, you’ll end up with roast potatoes!

[Scarecrowdave]

Don’t try burning them, you’ll end up with roast potatoes!

Haha i meant after removing them as i dont think they would be a welcome addition to the compost heap
Im not sure of best way of dispoing of them once they have been removed
Love the humour tho.

[bario1]

I throw all my weeds on the compost heap, except large docks and dandelions - they go in their own bin which never gets emptied!

And I honestly thought you meant burning them in situ, there are people on our site who use weed burners (basically flame throwers) to clear weeds... hopefully not near their crops though.

[4Shoes]

to be honest, potatoes should be big enough to look after themselves at this time of year. Focus on other areas where weeds cause problems.

[Two_Sheds]

Some people stand over their soil with a hoe, waiting for weeds to dare show their face.

I’m No Dig, so I mulch. All (non-seeding) weeds are used as mulch: pulled up before they flower, then left on the soil surface (weed on hot/windy days so they dry out and die. The more mulch you have, the fewer weeds you get.
I don’t use a hoe.

You will always get more weeds after rain, and after digging, because you’re bringing seed up to the light where it germinates.

[Scarecrowdave]

Cheers guys some great advice as normal cheers

[Jay-ell]

Took about 30 seconds to weed my spuds earlier - of course I haven't done it for a few weeks which is why it took so long.

The beds weeded before planting then mulched heavily with grass or straw (if I didn't have grass cuttings). The spuds have the energy to push up through the mulch, weed seedlings don't. As time goes by I top up the mulch from time to time with more grass cuttings or with weeds, rhubarb leaves, old veg leaves, straw etc.