New Gardener weed advice

[KatieElizabeth]

Hello!

I have recently got an allotment that was a bit of a mess. I'm currently trying to tackle the overgrowth - on the paths mainly as the beds that were there aren't too bad.

I have until May to get the plot looking good, but would like to have this ticked off by the end of February so I can be ready in time for planting through the summer.

At the moment the weeds are really difficult to get rid of and I'm trying to stay away from weed killers.

My question is what would be the best way to tackle the paths? I have two ideas 1. Cover the soil and seal it with black plastic and cover this in woodchips or 2. Plant flowers or border plants at the edges of the paths (a little cheaper than option 1.)

Would either of these work? Which is better? And is there another solution I'm missing - I've never gardened before except for potted plants.

Thank you so much for your help

Katie

[happyhumph]

I'm assuming the paths are a grassy /weedy mix & not slabs or gravel with weeds grown over? As you'll need to walk on the paths I'd go for option a - making sure you use a few layers of a permeable membrane to allow water through. Otherwise you'll still have the weeds. I know some people also use thick layers of cardboard under woodchip which also works bit isn't as permanent.

Nothing to stop you putting flowers etc round the edges but you do need something you can walk on, & to keep the weeds from spreading as much as possible - although weeds always find a way!

[snakeshack]

I used mypex on my paths (woven weed control fabric) when I got my allotment, then covered in wood chips I got free from my friendly local tree surgeon.every couple of years I change the chips adding the old ones to the compost in stages.the beds I covered in cardboard and planted through the first year adding a manure/woodchip mulch on top to supress weeds.by the end of season the cardboard has rotted down and the mulch is all ready to dig in.

[Chestnut]

We have brick and paving slab paths running through the site, and i havent yet found a way to eradicate the weeds (like you, i want to avoid chemicals).
I use a mix of hoe, secateurs and boiling hot water to stop the weeds getting too big or setting seed, and make sure I and other users can still walk along the path safely!

[Two_Sheds]

Weeds are a fact of life on allotments, and no one method is enough.
I've replaced our weedy fenced edges with perennial flowers and bulbs, and continue to remove weeds from the road and paths. These were never tackled by anyone, just left to flower and seed all over the plots

Don't kill yourself trying to remove everything. Concentrate on removing those that are flowering first, and the nasty perennials like couch, bindweed, dock, dandies etc

[Owamya]

When I got my 2nd plot June last year , I was left with some old carpets that I'm using as a membrane, I'm thinking of swapping the wood chip paths on my 1st plot as there's not many woodchip deliveries. Can pick some old carpet (free) from a skipping at the back of a local shop. As long as the colours match!.

[ESBkevin]

You can use acetic acid or white vinegar to kill weed tops with no ill effects on the soil. But it won't kill deep rooted things like dandelion or dock leaf.

[Jungle Jane]

Carpets could contain chemicals that leach into the ground & they're difficult to remove once weeds etc start growing through them,many councils have banned them from allotments...

[mothhawk]

When I got my 2nd plot June last year , I was left with some old carpets that I'm using as a membrane, I'm thinking of swapping the wood chip paths on my 1st plot as there's not many woodchip deliveries. Can pick some old carpet (free) from a skipping at the back of a local shop. As long as the colours match!.

As JJ says, carpets contain chemical dyes and other nasties (for soil). Pure wool carpet will bio-degrade and eventually rot away, carpets of man-made fibres will not rot, but will crumble and fall apart. So in a few years, instead of one big piece of carpet easy to remove, you'll have a load of very small pieces mixing into your soil and almost impossible to completely remove.

[Finley]

I'm starting my second allotment year and am going for your option A on the paths between my raised beds (last year was.. productive.. in weeds!). I'm going to approach local tree surgeons and hopefully find a friendly one to deliver some woodchip - does anyone have any ballpark figures of a reasonable cost for this - say, per ton - just so I know if someone quotes me something outrageous?