Clearing new plot

[Ozzieboy]

Hi all,

Been lurking for a while but decided its time to tap your combined knowledge.

Myself and my Better Half took on a 5 rod plot last summer, spent most the time clearing but managed some salad crops and plenty of Raspberries. We didnt come accross much in the way of bad weeds so not too many problems there.

Our problem is, we have taken on the other half to make 10 rods but all i am getting is Couch Grass and Bind Weed roots. I can live with that as at least i know what it is and what to look for. We also have plants scattered all around the plot that have huge, parsnip like roots. The leafs look like a Cos lettuce, a bit darker and some have a hint of red.

Do these sound like self seeded veggies from last year that can be composted or are they some sort of weed that needs attention.

Thanks in advance

[sewer rat]

Hi Ozzieboy
Welcome to the vine - lurk no more !
Nothing springs to mind immediately for your unidentified plant but will see what I can come up with. Back in a bit !

[sewer rat]

Back again
My immediate thought was dock / docken, especially with the deep root and reddening leaves but not exactly like any cos lettuce I have ever grown - . but as it is failrly widespread and common, I assume you do not think it is that. Do you know what colour of flowers it produces ? If so, the following website link could help you identify the beast in question
www.theseedsite.co.uk/weeds.
Good luck

[Ozzieboy]

Rat,

I`m pretty sure its not Dock, i`ve got a few of those the other end of the plot.

I will try to get a piccy of one and post it, been on the plot all day but forgot my camera.

[Hazel at the Hill]

I think that I had some of that at the Hill on our plot, Oz, when we took it over in Nov - some of the plants had quite bright green leaves and we thought that they were some sort of leef beef (quite attractive to slugs, evidently!) and when we dug one of them up it had a big parsnipy root on in.

I didn't try eating it though - the plants were dug up an put in the Bear Pit Trench for the runner beans.

[pete10]

Hi Ozzie
Perhap it could be horseradish . Dam hard stuff to get rid of ,But on
the bright side if you like the sauce your well in luck.

[Two_Sheds]

I had the same kind of thing, and it turned out to be Horseradish - I still haven't dug it all out, 2 years on.

[Ozzieboy]

If its Horseradish then i`ve got enough to last a lifetime. Best i get digging

[Mrs Dobby]

My first thought was Horseradish, we dug some out on our plot, it went 2' deep, and I am certain that its started to grow back already!

[dexterdoglancashire]

Hello OZBoy, HattheH (lovely photo, who is it?) and 2sheds! welcome to the Vine! (sorry been away a few days, digging over my first lottie!).
I could have the same problem as you OZB - but mine were rhubarb roots - too old and knackered to produce anything, so out they went!
Found some (very) old beetroot and parsnips last night - onto the compost heap they went!
All I would say is, as you already probably know, dig it all up and get rid of anything that looks suspicious!
Looking forward to hearing how you all get on! We can compare notes! DDL