total beginner with red ants aplenty!

[kaismum]

Hiya, Totally new to growing veg (and chatting on computers). This is my first time in a chat/forum or whatever the correct name is?? Please forgive my ignorance...... I've had a quick peep through some messages and you all seem like a friendly helpful bunch! So I'd like to ask for some advice please??

I,ve recently acquired a nice big allotment and am really keen to get started on it. Luckily it's got some fruit trees already established and some rhubarb and raspberries, but it's also knee deep in couch grass etc and red ant nests pretty much all over, especially under the patches of carpet that were left.I want to be as organic as possible and my 5 year old wants to get his hands in the earth so I don't want to put any nasties in there. So the question is what do I do about the ants, and apart from giving me an itchy rash up my arms , are they bad for my intended crops? Like I said, I'm a total beginner and it probably seems like a real dumb question to you experienced people, but I gotta start somewhere.

[Hazel at the Hill]

Well, firstly Kaismum, welcome to the Vine! And as a secondly, there are no dumb questions!

I have no idea about your red ants, but as our Member of the Month, Flummery, rightly says, ignorance is no barrier to putting in your two penn'th!

Our half plot taken over in Nov was thankfully clear, but many grapes here have had to contend with eyewatering problems on new plots, and will be along to help, I'm sure!

Recieved wisdom, however seems to be 'little and often', 'weed suppress the bits you can't do now', 'surprising how much help there is when you ask for it' and 'satisfaction of 1st crop - however small - leads you to do a dance.'

Look forward to hearing about your progress - and us nosy grapes like pics or a blog..........?!

[yoanbob]

try pouring boiling water down the nest, or get a fellar to wee down them, yeah i know it sounds stupid but you have to speak red ant to understand how it works.
they wont damage your crops directly but they will "farm" aphids on your plants which isnt good. and thet hurt!
good luck!

[Flummery]

I think if you uncover the ants nests - remove the old carpet - the birds will gobble them up - my sparrows do it with the ants on the front path. You can buy ant killing stuff that they take back to their nest - supposed to wipe out the whole tribe. I've used it in the living room but then I don't eat the carpet! Working the soil works wonders. It uncovers pests and their natural predators will do the dastardly deed for you. If you don't want chemicals (and we'd all prefer to avoid them) it's the big dig for you. Cheaper than a gym.

The main thing is, don't let it get you down. More new allotment holders fall at the first fence because they try to do it all at once. Set yourself a target. Think of a winter veg you're very partial to and dig and clean a bed for this - get your seeds sown soon in small pots or modules. The bed will be ready to plant when they are a few inches high and your first crop is away. Cover the rest up. Thick cardboard or heavy black plastic is probably best - carpets contain chemicals too.

God luck - you're in for a lot of pleasure as well as work.

[kaismum]

Thankyou loverly people for your answers !

Wow ! Instant advice and a friendly welcoming. I like this !
So I'm off down the plot with some flasks of boiling water. Thankyou so much ! I'll see how that works first before I go round the neighbours with an empty jar requesting a sample.
And thanks for the weed advice, I've made a start with some suppressant fabric and am just gonna work on sections bit by bit. I'll let you know when I actually get to plant something....seems ages away at the moment with so much preparation to do. but I'm still eager and got itchy feet so am going there now. Cheers.

[moggssue]

Hi and welcome, from one newbie to another! I have red ants in the flower beds in my front garden and in the lawn. As fast as I remove them from one area they seem to just move somewhere else - but I haven't noticed any damage to the plants other than the ants burrowing around the roots to make nests and disturbing young plants. I guess this might be a problem with young veg? But listen to those far more knowledgeable than me Kaismum!! And good luck with the lottie - come back and let us know how it's going - and remember the motto of the vines here, little and often, one bit at a time.

[kaismum]

You are all SO NICE.....Big thankyou xx