Weeding Advice Please.....

[syanide]

Hi, I'm new to this 'growing' lark and got the leys to my allotment on Sunday. To be fair, i think I've got a good deal as there are no brambles and in fact the plot has been rotavated only 6 weeks ago.

The friendly guy keeps telling me that all it needs is 'turn it over' to get rid of the weeds before i can get something down.

My question is....how do i weed/turn over? I Went to the plot yesterday and today and am starting to feel down....:-(

The weeding is taking FOREVER and the more i dig, the more cr4p i seem to dig up (roots, remnants of last person's crops etc) and I'm confused as to whether I'm doing the right thing or not.

An aged old Italian there told me today that all I need to do (as the plot has been Rotavated about 6 weeks ago) is turn the ground over and not to worry about picking out the roots/weeds as they'll look after themselves once they're turned on their heads..

Can someone please help me?? Maybe I just don't know how to weed....actually i dont!!

(ps, the plots about 25x9)

Thanks

Syanide

[Hans Mum]

break it down into manageable areas, think about what crops you want to grow, for instance spuds can be put in an area which has not had every weed removed, cover up areas until you an get to them, and you do need to weed, there is no easy or quick fix just keep going, do a search for bindweed & couch grass on the forum and when you identify it take it out or it will keep on comnig back, annuals need hoeing and are reasonable easy to get rid off. sorry if this seems a bit negative but its early days so dont expect to clear it all in a day

[terrier]

If the ground has been rotovated, then any weed roots that were there will now be chopped up. Unfortunately, bits of root can grow into new plants. The good news is that the new weeds will be easy to remove, just be vigilant and don't let them get a hold. See a weed, pull it out.
Potatoes are good for newly dug ground because you earth them up and that stops the dreaded weeds from taking hold. Above ground crops are good, peas, beans, sweetcorn, brassicas etc, easy to weed round. Root crops are more difficult. Grow courgettes to smother the weeds, they're great for that. Each year the ground will get a bit better and easier to maintain. Any ground you're not going to use, heavily mulch with animal manure, anything to keep the light out, cardboard does the job and will eventually rot down into the soil.
If your plot is newly rotovated, there's no point in 'turning it over'. Get the hoe out and threaten the weeds with it, if you cut their heads off it doesn't half slow them down. Take your time, just get a feel for the place and enjoy it.

[Paulottie]

Grow spuds through Mypex...my clearance method! not cheap but lighter work.

[zazen999]

Hi

Go to the section on growing techniques and scroll down to Supersprout's allotment.

Sadly no longer with us, the legacy lives on and if reading the post doesn't make you feel better about allotmenteering, then I don't know what will.

Basically cover any ground you are not using with fabric [wickes do 1m x 50m of weed control fabric for £15.99] and just work on each it at a time.

[syanide]

Hi guys and thanks for this advice. Also, Supersprout's advice is brilliant and I think I'm back on track.

The plan is to cover the majority of the plot (and forget about it) leaving enough space for 2-3 rows of spuds and a path going across the width. When I've managed that, I'll uncover another 'section' wide enough for the next crop (possibly onions) and another path. I may not 'uncover' the whole plot this year, but I'll be happy just to get a few things down this year.

At the other end (the 'shed end' even though I don't have a shed) I may expose a small section (1M wide?) to put some herbs in. Or maybe make a raised bed for the herbs...

Does this all sound feasible and good planning? I hope the weather dries up soon as the rain is not helping at all!!

Thanks

Syanide

[piskieinboots]

The main thing to do when you hear people saying 'don't do too much in one go' (which is sage advice) is to, at least, get something growing whilst the rest is covered up.

If something is showing signs of life it really does feed your enthusiasm

[zazen999]

I always look at the Supersprout page when feeling a little down and bedraggled - over a cup of tea if I can.

What a marvelous lady.

[PCGreenthumb]

I had a similar problem Syanide, but with brambles. I dug my plot a piece at a time using a mattock, removing what roots I could. As I cleared an area I covered it in landscape fabric to stop weeds growing again. If yours has already been rotorvated, cover all but a manageable area. I think when it comes to weeds, slow and steady does it!