How to get rid of weeds without spraying chemicals

Discussion in 'NEW Gardeners !' started by N.N, May 28, 2017.

  1. N.N

    N.N Apprentice Gardener

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    Hello everybody.

    I have this area that you see on the picture where I was planning to plant veg. I've stirred, cleaned and straightened the soil and got rid of all the weeds last November. I've constructed the veg bed but it was late to plant things. A bit late now this year but I'm trying to sort the garden and start planting. When I went to the garden it was like a jungle.

    Trying to take those plants out but the roots are quite deep and the plants quite big. BTW does anyone know what are these plants?

    Whats the best way of getting rid of them and does anyone know what are these plants?

    Here are the pictures. IMG-20170528-02967.jpg IMG-20170527-02965.jpg IMG-20170527-02963.jpg
     

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  2. Scrungee

    Scrungee Well known for it

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    • Like Like x 1
      Last edited: May 28, 2017
    • Mark56

      Mark56 Super Gardener

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      I've heard vinegar works? I also use boiling water but it needs to filter down to the roots.
       
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      • Logan

        Logan Total Gardener

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        @N.N . Best way is to dig it all up. Easier and you don't have to wait for things to work.:doggieshmooze:
         
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        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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          Dig it over, seems to be something people dont do these days, they tend to think there is an easier option.;)
          There aint:biggrin:
           
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          • Verdun

            Verdun Passionate gardener

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            Glyphosate is the solution. Ok, not the thing to say now but take advantage whilst you can. It eradicates most every weed in a way digging cannot do.
            Within 18 months glyphosate will be banned and then we will all realise how effective it was :huh:
            In my own garden perennial weeds are few and far between now so chemical weedkillers are rarely used. However, bindweed, oxalis and others were once rampant here and glyphosate effectively eradicated them. Now the garden is organic and has been for a few years.
            So, use glyphosate to do an initial clearing job then control future weeds with mulches
             
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            • pete

              pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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              Even if you kill the weeds off with glyphosate, (something which I use quite a lot), you will still need to dig the ground over to a good depth before planting any veg, you cant expect ground that you cleared last November to be clear of weeds now.

              It just dont happen that way, you need to be on top of things continually, especially during spring and summer.
               
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              • Verdun

                Verdun Passionate gardener

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                No dig for me, Pete, in the veg patch :) Mulch every year produces excellent results both with weed control and with soil quality :)
                 
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                • Ned

                  Ned Evaporated

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                  I only began to use mulch since last year, when I started a new planting in my garden. Without digging, and with another season`s mulch layer I am finding the soil is very much improved and easier to manage. In just these two seasons I find no need to use glyphosate, as there are far fewer weeds, and pulling them by hand doesn`t take up so much time.
                  Spent mushroom compost is my new 'best friend' :wub2:
                   
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                  • Scudo

                    Scudo Gardener

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                    I do use glyphosate when necessary however here is some info on the stuff. Mostly to get an initial clearance of weeds as these days I cant spend too long on my knees or I need a few days to recover. :-(

                    Glyphosate - the Debate | www.gardenorganic.org.uk
                     
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                    • pete

                      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                      Regarding mulching, not actually tried the no dig idea myself,:smile: but I think I would struggle to find enough mulch material each year for it to work with me.

                      I certainly wouldn't want to buy the stuff, and my own compost would be far too small an amount.
                       
                    • Ned

                      Ned Evaporated

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                      I have neither the time or the energy to be ''on top of'' my flower borders during the camping season, and at £2.50 per bag of mushroom compost I find it to be rather a good economy.
                      Not only that, it saves money on watering to some extent - that precious commodity shoots through a meter when the weather is dry - as it has been lately.
                      Old wrinklies like me don`t much relish too much digging either - the other way works fine :whistle:
                       
                    • Verdun

                      Verdun Passionate gardener

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                      Its no dig for me but not to save my back! :old:
                      I find it more productive.....more attractive too :)
                      My veg patch was dug deeply to start with and lots of compost, manure etc incorporated.....well, it was treated like this for several years. A thick mulch of seaweed from the beach, mushroom compost, garden compost and leaf mould creates a rich topsoil :yay:
                       
                    • Ned

                      Ned Evaporated

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                      And...I suppose you think if you`ve got it - flaunt it ! Show off...I wasn`t always an old wrinklie you know :rasp:
                       
                    • Verdun

                      Verdun Passionate gardener

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                      Ha ha Tetters. Never do I think of you as an old wrinklie. Far from it :)
                       
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