covering new plots

[hawthorns]

in the spring i took over a overgrown plot. i mowed it back and dug out lots of bramble. covered the whole plot with cardboard and spread approx 4" of horse manure on top. my question is should i now cover this with plastic as some bindweed and brambles are starting to grow thru

[maypril]

I'd dig the brambles out as they're relatively easy to dig out, make sure you get as much of the root as you can.

As for the bindweed, put a cane in the soil, let it grow up the cane for a bit, and then spray it all over with glyphosate/roundup. That'll get rid of most of them for good.

If you don't want to use weed killer then your best bet is to cover the whole lot with plastic that's thick enough to cut the light out.

[hawthorns]

i am going for the no dig method

[zazen999]

No dig only works once the main perennial weeds are cleared. You have to dig at first esp if you have brambles.

[Two_Sheds]

Just as Zazen says: you can only do 'no dig' once the ground is clean. Those roots need to come out first.

I wouldn't use plastic to cover if you have got newspapers or cardboard (which will eventually rot down and improve the soil).

[Sanjo]

And check the manure is safe to plant into maybe? No herbicides?

[jackyspratty]

Hi Hawthorne
I too had an overgrown plot, lots of cuoch grass. Folowed the grand advise as above. Dug a fair bit out when the soil was softer, then it solidified into hard clay! I laid out the paths and beds and covered the beds with cardboard. Dont have the luxury of a lot a manure so am adding organic matterin bits and bobs. Coffee grounds, grass clippings, leaf maould and my first small but perfectly formed homemade compost!

There are annual seedlings comin through in some of the gaps in the cardboard and persisiatnt thistles. My aim is to remove as much of the remaning couch grass root at the end of the season andd then continue with this system again next year.

It works really well keeping the weeds down, and hopefully will condition my soil too. I wouldnt have thought of doin this so a big thanks to the wise grapes who encouraged me! I would definately recommend it. My veg so far is looking great on the new plot.