My plan

[Mumbles]

Hi all

At the moment my plot looks like this


My plan is to strim it all down to as ground level as I (my partner) can get it.

Next I'm going to use weed suppressant fabric to mark out where I want my paths/beds to be. This will eventually (when there is a delivery to the site) be covered in wood chip.

Then cover each bed with cardboard weighted down with water filled milk bottles (I currently have everyone I know saving them)

Uncover, dig and edge one bed at a time.

What does everybody think of this plan? I'm sure there's bound be a massive flaw somewhere that someone more experienced than me will see

Thanks



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[WendyC]

Sounds about right to me! Some people plant through the cardboard so you could save a bit more time.

[Bigmallly]

Cover the whole lot in cardboard, mark out your beds, chip your paths & fill the beds..........weeds still come through fabric although it does make them easier to pull out.

[Mumbles]

Although I can get hold of a lot of cardboard not sure I can get enough to cover the full plot. Will see what I can do


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[PassionateButInexperience]

Above pic is 'Before'

Below pics are 'after'


ALL DONE IN ONE DAY.... hardwork of 6 hours by 2 people .

This is what I did
1. Strimm it as close to ground as you can, hit uptill the roll ball if weeds, this will help in step 2
2. I hired a rotavator ( £60 for weekend, if you can collect and return same day you will get £15-20 off)
Rotavated as deep as I can
DONE

What I plan to do
1. Buy cheap timber planks and do raised beds myself.
2. Fill with more soil from path (they are raise compaired to bed are)
3. Cover with wet carboard , Weed fabric
4. Grow through weed Fabric and 2-3 inches of compost on top.




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[PassionateButInexperience]

I dont know why I assumed you are in UK so advised on rotavotir price too




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[Mumbles]

I'm a bit weary of using a rotavator as my plot is covered in docks and a rotavator will just chop the weeds in to tiny pieces giving me hundreds of extra weeds


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[Alison]

I'm a bit weary of using a rotavator as my plot is covered in docks and a rotavator will just chop the weeds in to tiny pieces giving me hundreds of extra weeds


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You are right to be wary, looks good initially but almost always more work in the long run.


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[Mumbles]

I'm also now thinking of after digging each bed sowing a green manure to cover the soil, to help add nutrients, and break up the ground which I am assuming is currently quite compact.

Does this sound ok? And what manure would people recommend? It'll be in for various lengths of time- some right over winter some until my over wintering veg are planted out. Would it be worth putting it in for such a short time?

Thanks


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