Vegetable patch initial preparation

Hi Folks - my first post so go easy on me !

Just moved into new house with strip of land which I intended to use for veg. Dug the earth over in Spring, planted spring onions, carrots and runner beans directly in soil.

Couple of months on, area is a mass of what looks like clover, although the veg seems to be growing.

The question - should I have prepared the soil before planting and if so, how ?

Kind regards to all for reading.

Chris

 

If you pull up (or Hoe) the weeds, once a week, you will weaken them until they can't survive.

You may have loads of weed seed that will keep coming back for years I'm afraid - don't let anything seed! but you can't avoid what gets blown in, or is already there. As the saying goes "One year's seed: Seven years' weed" :(

If its a struggle this year you could cover the plot with weed suppressing fabric (woven plastic mulch sheet) next year, cut X's and plant through.

Mulching with something like compost / well rotted manure can also help reduce the weed germination.

 

Hi Kristen - many thanks for your reply. I'll persevere with your advice.

Kind regards

Chris

 

Welcome xert,
Kristen is spot on with the mulching between the veg. A lot of my plot has only recently been "reclaimed" & the weeding was getting in the way of going fishing.

Luckly, I got hold of some ancient compacted straw to use as a mulch, really kept the weeds down and kept the moisture in.