Safe, organic weed killer, is there such a thing?

[miffy]

Really struggling to get my new half plot under control, Previous owners rotavated the weeds so have so much couch grass, dandelions and docks, they seem to be laughing at me!!
Allotment have said they will spray it for me but it isn't something I would wish to use, worried about spread onto my plot next door, also the critters living in the plants etc..
Is the only option to keep pulling out, digging up?
Thanks in anticipation guys

[zazen999]

Using a bed system with hoeing and pulling works for me.

The first year is always the worst.

[Beetroot Bob]

Just got in from the plot. We've got the same problem. The best long term option is the hard way. Get into it and dig it out !!

We've got about 6' of 70' left to dig and clear. We tried the spray method and all it did was kill the surface weeds. The roots still sprouted back up as soon as the weather got warmer.

We went back to the hard way. We did the same last year on the other 1/2 of the plot and there's only a few surface weeds in that now .

If you do it right the first time you shouldn't need to to it again.

[miffy]

Cheers guys for your advice I thought that was going to be the answer but my back was hoping there was a miracle cure! Cleared my other half plot by hand over last two years and you are right, I do not have any weeds in the raised beds at all.
Back to the plot tomorrow morning then to start on another bed.
'It isn't easy being green'

[smallblueplanet]

Can't you cover some over to kill them off (or at least weaken them) until you can get round to them?

[Snadger]

Hand weeding is what gardening is all about and is quite theraputic for me!
The only organic weedkiller is boiling water but you'd need a big kettle to do an allotment!

PS Just realised that burning with a 'sheen' type gun is organic also!

[hawthorns]

im covering my new plot with cardboard and manure on top

[maytreefrannie]

Can't you cover some over to kill them off (or at least weaken them) until you can get round to them?

im covering my new plot with cardboard and manure on top

If you can set some of your plot aside, the cover-over method works like a dream I find, and once it's covered it's only a matter of waiting while the weeds die off - and if you make sure not to walk/stand on it you'll have lovely soft ground there for the next season. Meanwhile, you would have a chance to get some beds ready on the rest of the plot.

Some people put down weedblock or black plastic, make slits and plant through these holes. I haven't done this myself, but I've seen others do it and they were always pleased with this method.

[solway cropper]

Like the others have said, the first few years are the worst but once you have things under control it's quite easy to stay on top of it. My biggest problem is buttercups. they weren't there when I started but every year the little blighters pop up and start creeping around.

[OllieMartin]

Umm...not an allotment holder here, and perhaps a radical idea: can you controlled-burn a patch?

[Two_Sheds]

can you controlled-burn a patch?

That won't kill the roots though, which are the main problem

[daffydill]

what we did was cover the lot with black plastic (available from builders merchant and the like )and slowly pulled it back as we dug, it didnt conpletely kill all the weeds but it killed some and weakened the others.
may be an option for you