Allotment pics

[buzzingtalk]

I'm not a fan personally - I'm organic - but whatever you have to do to clear your plot is up to you Get yourself some weed membrane (I got 2x20m off ebay for £25, which will cover back half of my plot, or most of it, while I did and work the first half this season) and cover up bits you don't want to use...how big's your plot?

[binley100]

Cardboard comes free .....just sayin'

[mrgrower]

Ok Ok stop molesting me I will do it the hard way no weedkiller. I understand peoples concerns about weedkiller and to be honest I share your views it's not the only thing being used to poison us but that's a topic for the conspiracy forums..:

I'm just a little daunted by the task of picking through it all to get the roots out but the overall feeling seems to be don't spray Mr Grower don't spray........

To be honest buzzingtalk I haven't measured the area out but it isn't a massive plot and part of it the area by the concrete base is going to be left for fruit bushes and dwarf fruit trees so in fairness it isn't to big a job.

Binley100 I take it you think I should use cardboard lol I work in a large shop / supermarket and have a load of boxes in my car at the moment as my daughter is moving house this weekend so I can reuse them and get a load more from work as needed.

Thanks for dragging me away from the weedkiller route

MG

[Bigmallly]

Good for you mrgrower........if you put weedkiller down, you can't use the soil this year. If you cover it in cardboard, at least you have the option of using the ground if you find you have time.

[veggiechicken]

Well done MG - you receive my stamp of approval Think of all the money you'll save by not buying chemicals too. Put that in your seed kitty

[chris]

I too doubt TS would have advised you to use that weedkiller, of all anyway.

Besides, glyphosphate needs to be applied when the plants are in active growth, not dormant!

Another vote for covering with cardboard - when you're ready to plant, just cut a slit in the cardboard, and then plant through it.

[alldigging]

Weedkiller is a PITA as you have to have idea conditions to apply it. Spray it in the wind and you'll find yourself with bigger problems.

[kathycam]

Carboard sounds like a good route. I hope so- as half my plot is covered in the stuff. I did read something about using white vinegar to kill weeds. It was talking about on paths rather than growing areas. Has anyone any experience of this?

[bojangles]

My plot was wasit high of weeds all the stubborn ones!! I did have a lot of help from my yard owner only after them seeing me trying to use a strimmer on it and that was enough for them!! I think I shocked them Ive never used one before. So they got they tractors out and scrape off the top parts for me and then rovalto it!! Which looking back was a very bad move!!

I did do a few bit by hand covering up etc. I've got bilndweed thisties, docks and lot's more!! Lot's of digging over and mulching it have done wonders to it. I must get update photos on here.

Last weekend I went to my local seed swap club and show all the photos to a lady who saw the beginging ones from the start and she was complety in shock and gave me a big pat on the back and a hug for all my hard work!! As its paid off!! I had some huge parsnips and carrots!! My Grandad couldnt belive the size of them as he never had such good luck as me!!!

So you see it is worth all the hard work I have such good fun down there and always have a smile on my face looking back on how far I have came on with the plot

[Samurailord]

If you want cardboard I would recommend going to the big supermarkets and asking for the cardboard that is used as a specer between layers on the pallets of pop.

Each piece is about 4 foot square, and they are much better than flattened crisp boxes etc as they tend to stay flat for longer and don't have any potential gaps through which nasties can grow.

Our local supermarket is 24hr and I have an arrangement with the night manager whereby I turn up at the start of the Friday night shift (about 9pm) and let him know I need cardboard, and I return at the end of the shift (about 6am) to collect whatever they have put out for me.

As long as it is off the shop floor before 7.30am they are happy. They quite often help me to the car with it too.

Andy

[mrgrower]

I too doubt TS would have advised you to use that weedkiller, of all anyway.

Besides, glyphosphate needs to be applied when the plants are in active growth, not dormant!

Another vote for covering with cardboard - when you're ready to plant, just cut a slit in the cardboard, and then plant through it.

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra.../hi_69963.html post 15 I asked what weedkiller I could use being new to this couch grass thing. He was just advising on which one not suggesting I use it hehehe.

Samurailord: Thanks for that you are right except our store has plastic separators or hardboard on the pop pallets and water you get the odd card I know this as I work nights in a supermarket lol But after saying that there is no harm asking the lads to keep the card ones that they come across.....

Anyway after finishing my night shift I took the wife to work and went directly to the allotment I have more pictures to post up latter I only stopped because the handle on my 4th garden fork snapped thats 4 in 12 months on top of about 5 spades they where not cheep too they don't make them how they used to do they?

MG

[chris]

Ah, well TS said it's what people use, not to use it Again, though, cough isn't that tough to get rid of, you just need to keep at it - bit by bit.

my plot was thick with couch (http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...tml#post991918)

When I dig it over now, I see the odd root, but just dig around it with a fork, loosening the soil and then pull it out. It is harder work than weedkiller, but then again before using it, I'd urge you to read about the side effects from animal testing results.. no conclusive human tests have been performed yet (and probably won't...... !)

We're only out to help you not inject nasty chemicals.

[chris]

Handles snapping wise, maybe you're trying to pry too much with your tools - they're digging tools not lifting/leverage tools (I went through a few before I realised myself). I bought the S&J neverbend range (still bent a fork, broke a spade head (the bit that attaches the blade to the metal shaft insert)) - but since then haven't had any problems!

[mrgrower]

It snapped digging up one of those long brown roots that's white inside no idea what the weed is but long bloody roots. I always take it easy now with my tools but must have been a little over zellos this time. Oh well I have a brand new spade that bent the other week so will take the handle of that and put it on the fork. The fork has been a godsend getting the couch grass moving better than the spade...

MG

[Jamesy_uk]

MrG I suggest with your tools something with a metal core shaft but failing that just dig half depth at a time and if the root mass feels solid dig all the way around the outside of it first and then try teasing it up on the side that 'gives' the most with pressure.