New PLot

Hello all

We've just got our hands on a brand new plot (approx 7ft long) and have decided to divide it in two and concentrate on one half for the first year (we are both novice allotmenters so this seems to make sense as the whole plot needs digging and composting).

My question is this: the half we are leaving for our 'Year 2' is rapidly sprouting grasses and little thistles. We've bought landscape fabric to cover what we dig to prevent re-growth. Can we cover it with small weeds still in place in attempt to kill them off? I know some perennial weeds need to be dug out root and all - how long would the root survive if 'green' part of the plant was dead?

Thanks for any advice!

 

Yes you can cover anything and it will all mostly be killed. Next spring when you lift the fabric, perrenial weeds will be showing some growth in the form of long etiated or spindly whitish stems, created whilst they look for light, now they are easy to spot and easily dug/removed. And as you dig the remaining soil over you will find and remove other roots too.

I'm covering some grassy/weedy areas this week so they will be ready for next spring too, only I am using recycled carpets and black plastic.

Steve...

 

Thanks Steve!

Somebody at work told me also, before doing covering, to spread leaf mold or any rotted organic mulch material under the covering to encourage worms to work the soil below and also help kill the weeds.

 

I would dig that into the bed next spring only, if you think about it you will be digging next spring and removing old weed growth and roots. Chances are you would remove some of your precious leaf mould/compost at the same time. Cover and leave until spring, remove old weeds and roots. Turn over the soil digging in whatever organic material you have such as compost or well rotted horse manure, then plant as needed.

Steve...

 

I would defiantly agree with Steve, leave everything until spring, then just get rid of the bits which are not needed i.e weeds and roots, if the soil isn't nice though i would defiantly suggest adding some compost.

 

I like the idea of mulch underneath the fabric. The only downside I can think of is that if that mulch rots in an oxygen poor environment (under the fabric) then it may go smelly and sour and lower the soil pH.

 

meto i only using recycled carpets and black plastic to grassy/weedy areas

 

Beware that old carpet is a nightmare to remove once it starts to rot, and if you are using it as a mulch for vegetables also beware that the backing to carpet can include some nasty chemicals - whether they would be taken up by vegetable plants, or not, may be for debate, but I reckon some folk would not want to risk it