Is this a problem or not?

[Scott1201]

Hi all

This is my first post so hopefully it's in the right area.

I took on a plot last year and other than cut grass, pick fruit etc I haven't had the time to do anything else to it.

It was very overgrown and neglected so I cut and covered a large patch. I uncovered it the hope that I could dig it over however about 2 inches down is a layer of weed membrane that has been there so long weeds have grow over it.

So my question is what is the best course of action?

Thanks in advance

[Cadalot]

IMHO You have little option but to dig it out, I had the same problem but I had carpet !

[Bill Door]

Oh my. Have you tried "test" pits around the plot? If so is the membrane covering everywhere?

If there is an area that is free then I would start there and get it dug over and plant it out as soon as the weather allows.

If the membrane covers the whole plot (or only part of it) then I would start forking it over. Just go below the membrane level and try to easy it away from the soil underneath. Don't try to dig it out in bits and don't try to "rip" it out with your hands. Remember you are not trying to turn over the soil just release the top layer and the membrane.

Once you have done the area then let the soil on top dry out and try raking it up. You should be able to "lift" the membrane either in a few pieces or in many!!

If this does not work then just dig it over with a very sharp shovel/spade and collect the small bits of membrane as and when they appear.

Note this is only a suggestion and depends on how much your membrane has broken down. If you choose to rotovate the ground bear in mind that the membrane could wrap around the spines.

I wish you the best of luck with this and it is a warning to all to make sure that the membrane they put down is not overburdened with soil.

Bill

[nickdub]

Depends really on what you aim to grow. For starters I'd plan where you want your paths and leave that bit alone. Then anywhere you want to grow tree fruit or soft fruit you could just cut holes and plant through them. For veg growing the advice given already looks sensible to me.

I'd plan on having a very sharp knife with me when I tackled this. BTW my methods are based on what would be the least effort, not what would be the ideal solution.

[Jungle Jane]

If weeds are coming through the membrane it would be better to dig out the membrane with the weed roots entangled & the membrane might just be where the paths were once,otherwise they would have been very shallow beds? It's good you covered a large area it will make it easier to dig out,have you taken some before & after photos so you can see how well you're doing & show us welcome to the forum!

[Scott1201]

Thank you all. I will investigate further, hopefully it's just where the paths were. If not it looks like I'll be doing a lot of digging.

[bikermike]

How covered is it?
Do you know how long it's been down?

I think I would probably try to gently scrape off as much top-covering as will come off (avoid ripping the stuff) and then do the dig-under and lift as suggested above. Have a sharp knife handy to cut through roots etc (or they will rip the membrane and make it harder to remove).

[Mr Bones]

Hi Scott and welcome to the Vine. I'd dig it out too, it won't be easy but it'll save you being hacked right off if every time you try to do something there's bits of membrane in the way.

[Scott1201]

Went to the allotment this afternoon to dig some test holes. Luckily it only covers a 1/3 of the area. And it lifted up easy as anything, so now I've cleared the ground quicker than if I dug it😊