Keeping on top of the weeds after clearing an allotment patch - any advice?

[Samuel1988]

Evening all,

Today I have been pretending to be Rambo and hacking down lots of overgrown weeds after finally working on the half of my neighbours allotment patch and I want to approach this in a fashion where I will not be overwhelmed with the ever lasting battle against the weeds (as to say when I leave the plot I wish to leave it in a manner where the weeds will find it tougher and longer to come back on a section of the plot which I have not yet dug up just in case I can not make it down as often as I wish).

I was thinking of measuring out the growing areas and layer a thick layer of newspaper to act as a mulch that will hold the weeds back a bit until I can get to that section to dig up (or maybe leave it as a no dig area - I will post another post relating a a query in a mo), and put something heavy on top to stop it blowing away.

Any alternative ideas/advice?

Many thanks,

Samuel

[rustylady]

Would just like to say it's no good just hacking the weeds down - you need to get the roots out too. Did you find out what sort of weeds they are?

As to covering the ground that is a very good idea. You could also plant fast growing plants like pumpkins and courgettes - they will shade the weeds out.

[Samuel1988]

Nettles and brambles make up <5%, I will get picks of the main types (one is grassy like which grows in clumps with the leaves being cylindrical and thin-ish). I will take picks of the suspects soon!

[rustylady]

Right, brambles you really do need to dig out - their roots can go quite deep. Have you got a pair of secateurs? these can be used to cut through the roots if necessary.

Nettles you also need to dig out - their roots are much shallower but spread a lot sideways.

[Two_Sheds]

Although if you don't have time or the inclination to dig them out right away, covering them with a thick newspaper mulch will weaken the roots so they're easier to dig out when the time comes.

[Mr Bones]

After the roots are out hoe, hoe, hoe. The ground will be full of seeds but each seed can only germinate once. Some seeds can remain dormant in the soil for years (e.g. poppy can remain dormant for 100 years) so better to get them up and chopped off. After only a month or so you should start to see less weeds germinating.

[WillyNelson]

Cover any ground you're not using. It won't keep all the weeds down but it will significantly reduce them.

[Samuel1988]

Ill section it up and cover with a thick layer of newspaper and get to each section as I go along.

I did bring lots of newspaper down to the patch which I found in an alleyway which someone dumped but I think a fox must have got into it (maybe attracted to it by passing dogs which may have scented it or something) and shredded it up a bit causing such a mess!

Will have a search around for a couple of bricks to weigh it down.

Thanks all for your advice!

Samuel

[rustylady]

Will have a search around for a couple of bricks to weigh it down.


Samuel

Plastic milk bottles filled with water make good weights.

[Samuel1988]

Some of the culprits (sorry for the poor quality of the picks)

Afternoon all,

I've taken some picks of 3 of the weeds on my patch.

There is another grass type weed which grows in clumps with cylindrical thin leaves, any ideas what it is?

Also does anyone have an easy illustrated guide link to weeds and what they indicate about soil conditions?

Many thanks,

Samuel

[veggiechicken]

The yellow flowers are buttercups - probably creeping ones!! I don't know what it tells you about your soil but hold a flower under your chin and if it reflects yellow it means you like butter
You need to keep digging them out or they'll creep everywhere - I have lots of them!!

[rustylady]

As VeggieChicken says the yellow flowered ones are buttercups. Very pretty, but heck they spread.

Found an illustrated guide to weeds here for you Weed Library :: National Gardening Association

[Two_Sheds]

Not a great photo, but that first one is a willowherb I think, or possibly evening primrose

[rustylady]

I wondered about evening primrose. Don't think it's a willowherb, the leaves look softer almost furry.

[Two_Sheds]

Yeah, I was thinking of hairy willowherb, not the smooth one we get, the rosebay


Samuel, leave it to flower. If it's pink it's willowherb, if it's yellow it's EP