Newbie

[Cora]

Hi, I'm actually IT illiterate so i've only just got to grips with how this works (i think!). I have posted on the forum before (I joined in May!) but couldn't find my way around, oh dear! Still practice makes perfect! So sorry if this is in the wrong place Enjoying IT a bit more now!
Anyway, is anyone practising the 'no dig' system? I have loads of bindweed - has anyone tried this system with this nightmare of a weed?

[Matt94]

Hi Cora and welcome to the site, I don't personally do the no dig method, but I know there are a few on here that do, so I'm sure they will give you a few tips!

Don't worry if its in the wrong place I'm sure if it is the mods will move it for you - but I'm sure it will be fine here seen as your asking about the no dig method

All the best,

Matt

[kathycam]

Hi, I've had an allotment for a little over a year now, I am trying to do no dig and took on a plot that hadn't been cultivated for about 2 years, so lots of bindweed and grass to deal with. We did do an inital dig to remove the worse, but have since built up the beds with manure and compost etc. We've tried blocking the bindweed with cardboard or newspaper and then putting compost on top. Seems to help, but it does grow back. I pull out as much as I can as regularly as I can, there isn't that much of it now, but I think thats mostly down to the time of year. If you get the plant when its still young, it wont have had chance to put more energy into the roots, and if you keep doing this, it should run out of energy.

We did build up a pile of the top layer of soil/ grass/ weed that we removed from one bed and started another bed with it, we then covered the mound in cardboard and then cheap compost and eventually more compost and straw. In the mound we've grown potatoes and then squash. I'm trying peas in it now. Eventually it will all root down and be a normal bed. But its a good use of the waste and cut down on the weeding considerably.

[Bren In Pots]

Cora here's a good link for a no dig system :-

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ment_5573.html

[Two_Sheds]

I have loads of bindweed - has anyone tried this system with this nightmare of a weed?

As you've found out, bindweed is very stubborn. Even if you shade (mulch) it heavily, the roots will run for yards & yards until they find some light, then it will grow leaves and carry on as before.

The no-dig system is for AFTER you've dug out the worst perennial weeds. If you don't, they will just happily grow up and through your beds, tangling in with your plants.

[Cora]

Hi all, oh this is brilliant! thanks for all the tips I'm going to try as you suggest Kathycam and i know what you mean Two Sheds, but i've loads of it - it's coming out of in what was once i believe compost piles too (so i presume i can't use any of that stuff?). yes it has died back/gone under ground(!) for the winter i think, dreading it re-emerging in the spring though. thanks for the link Bren - i presume i could apply black plastic, mulch over that & plant - with or without bindweed? or is that just too optimistic! And thanks for your guidance Matt94

[veggiechicken]

Hi Cora and welcome from me too. Bindweed is a real - bind! You could try sieving your compost - if you can be bothered, - and pulling out any rooty bits before you use it. The problem with black plastic is getting the drainage right - cardboard is a much better option!

[PyreneesPlot]

Hello and welcome.

I have a highly productive bindweed bed that also has a little bit of asparagus in it....

Trying to dig it out before going no dig has made it worse because I failed to get it all out in the first place. I pull it out on an almost daily basis to try and weaken the roots and then resort to training it up a stick and the painting glypho on. So much for trying to be organic.

[kathycam]

You can drown the bindweed in a bucket with no light for a couple of months, then add it the compost. Use the leftover water as a feed.

[Cora]

Thanks guys Yes i should really get it all out before going 'no dig' or any dig! but there is so much of it I literally wouldn't ever be planting anything! I'm saving up carboard and also going to try black plastic as well and then mulch over & plant through I think. I'm going to build a compost heap in a corner away from the worst of it (it's coming through the fence to a field) otherwise i'll just be piling it all back into the plot! gosh it's making me lose the plot! I like your idea of drowning it Kathycam! though not sure it won't come back to life! I reckon Charles Dowson is lucky not to have any bindweed at all!