Can I grow on ground I have just weeded?

[IndigoElectron]

There were a lot of unwanted plants/weeds (not sure of the difference!) on my small plot. I dug them up with a fork but I'm not sure I managed to get all the roots, some of which were huge!

There was a lot of mint there, which I know is invasive. Some of the roots were very thick and brown, with white inside. Some of them were long, thin and orange, like skinny carrots. I know that's not a great description, but does it sound like anything I need to worry about?

I've put down cardboard to stop any growing back, but I want to start planting soon. I was going to dig in some compost (shop bought) then start planting using the square foot method. Should I be worried about the mint/weeds/roots?

Thanks!

[RaptorUK]

I've put down cardboard to stop any growing back, but I want to start planting soon. I was going to dig in some compost (shop bought) then start planting using the square foot method. Should I be worried about the mint/weeds/roots?

Thanks!

If you didn't get it all it will come back . . . I have dug out bags and bags of Couchgrass, Bindweed and Horsetail roots . . . and all from a plot that looked well kept and tidy . . . did I get it all ? I tried, but I suspect I didn't . . . but I will have to get what I missed when it comes back above ground.

[binley100]

You'll never get it all and if you waited till you did then you'd never grow anything...Cut holes and plant through the cardboard or just hoe off any weeds that dare to show their heads....

[FB.]

There will be some small pieces of root left behind and they'll come back.

When we first started getting our veg plot into use, we dug it over three times to about 1ft depth with a fork (me digging, my wife picking up the small remains of weed roots I'd unearthed).

Then we grew potatoes on it (they smother most other plants).

Then we dug it over one more time and removed any remaining weeds.

Our plot still remains virtually free of weeds.

[Highlander]

I would try to confine the mint in one area, dig a trench round it and put something in to line the trench and help stop the roots spreading.
Your square foot planting will give you the chance to really give each area good forking over and another chance to remove the weed roots, then keep the tops down by hoeing regularly and remove any remaining roots when you get the chance. Keep the areas you are not ready to work covered until you feel like tackling them and eventually you will have a great weed free and productive plot.
Good luck.

[IndigoElectron]

Thanks everyone.

FB, that sounds like a good idea but I don't think I can wait until next year to get started properly, it's all too exciting! I'll see how I get on and remove the weeds as they appear.

Highlander, the mint will be in a pot from now on! Goodness knows why the previous owner planted it in the garden.

[Bill HH]

Weeds are the price we pay for having such a fabulous hobby. Go for it and face the oncoming flush of weeds with a cheery smile. If you stop this years crop of weeds from seeding by vigilant hoeing most of the annual weeds will gradualy subside (seeds can still germinate after several year) but they will get less. The perennial weeds (or mint) need digging up fully, do it when the soil is moist as they come out easier.

[IndigoElectron]

Thanks Bill. After doing some reading I think I'll double dig the border, don't know when it was last done and it will help get rid of the perennial weeds.

[Veggielot]

Seeds are something that you won't get rid of them straight away so don't worry to much about that., it is something that will take time. If you don't plant anything the seeds will come back anyway. Put the cardboard down and plant through it.

[IndigoElectron]

Thanks Veggielot, I am starting to see that weeds aren't something to worry too much about. I know what you mean about them coming back - I dug loads up a few months back but didn't cover the ground, and the plot was full again in no time! I'm going to try square foot gardening, I think that's meant to help keep the weeds down.

[Two_Sheds]

Some of the roots were very thick and brown, with white inside.

could be almost anything, really. Ask us again when (if) they get leaves and flowers on

Goodness knows why the previous owner planted it in the garden.

I planted mint all in my spud bed when I started. It got bruddy everywhere it did.

I think I'll double dig the border,... it will help get rid of the perennial weeds.

Yes, it'll get out the roots, for sure.

However, turning the soil over exposes dormant weed seeds to the light ~ and then they germinate.

I dug loads up a few months back but didn't cover the ground, and the plot was full again in no time!

It's good that you made the connection. Some people just carry on digging, and it's an endless cycle of dig-weeds again-dig-weeds again.

I don't do any weeding until I have a crop ready to go in, or some cardboard to go on top. Bare brown soil may look "tidy" but it doesn't last very long, and then you're right back where you started


I treat weeds as free green manures: they provide lots of mulch/compost material for me. Just don't let them go to seed

[IndigoElectron]

Thanks. Cardboard has been down since I weeded last week.