Topic: No Dig Spud Bed

[craftyparsnip]

Hi, i have had my lottie for a few months now, and i am digging it over at the moment (couch) has anyone grown spuds the no dig way - compost down then lay the sod over the top.
I read that this is a good way to clear ground, thought this would be good so i can concentrate on my beds getting the couch roots up any views on this would be appreciated.

[manicscousers]

that's one of the things we're going to do this coming year, worth a try /, anyway, can't do any harm  ;D

[Rosyred]

I tried it later in the year and it worked well but make sure you cover well or they will go green. I used grass cutting on them and they like it. Watch out for slugs too.

[Robert_Brenchley]

I put them as deep as I can with a trowel and put several inches of grass cuttings over the top. They do fine.

[Deb P]

I'm tempted to try this method, but the couch is so bad I've had to resort to digging it out bit by bit. I'm worried that if I leave it as it is and manure on top, it will simply grow even more. I inherited a two baths full of 'compost' on my plot, when I started digging it out it was completely riddled with couch and bindweed....took me ages to sift through it all... ::)

[Georgie]

Hello Wendy and welcome.  There is a member here called Supersprout who has posted lots of advice recently about the no dig method.  It's well worth a read (by using the search facility). 

G x

[supersprout]

I used black plastic for the first season and grew spuds through it without clearing the cooch. At the end of the season there was a spud harvest plus loads of fat white cooch roots to gather off the surface. From then on I mulch with organic stuff. If weeds come through your mulch, it's not thick enough - put on more! ;D

[Georgie]

Spooky!   ;D

G x

[Robert_Brenchley]

I'm tempted to try this method, but the couch is so bad I've had to resort to digging it out bit by bit.

You need to get the couch out before you try any no-dig method except (possibly) lasagne beds. These are supposed to kill perennial weeds but I wouldn't have too much faith in it for real nasties.

[craftyparsnip]

Thanks everyone - Need to think this one over more...


Merry Christmas

[supersprout]

I'm tempted to try this method, but the couch is so bad I've had to resort to digging it out bit by bit. I'm worried that if I leave it as it is and manure on top, it will simply grow even more. I inherited a two baths full of 'compost' on my plot, when I started digging it out it was completely riddled with couch and bindweed....took me ages to sift through it all... ::)

The Garden Organic mag (Oct? Nov?) had a great feature on clearing a new plot with extreme mulching - weed suppression with a layer of cardboard (or thick newspaper) covered with 'lasagne' like Robert says. Good article, really encouraging, excellent pics :)

I can't dig or weed - not bendy :P - so have to cultivate without either.

No-dig: summer



No-dig: winter



Extreme Mulching now, sounds erm, energetic and sporty don't it ;) ;D ;D

[Deb P]

Extreme Mulching now, sounds erm, energetic and sporty don't it ;) ;D ;D

Sounds brilliant!!  ;D ;D ;D

Though with all your renowned mulching, what would be the difference between 'ordinary' and 'extreme' mulching. How many (ahem!) inches are we talking about here?? ;)

[supersprout]

Up to 8 inches ;) - it soon disappears, just keep topping up :)

lady inches :P

[Robert_Brenchley]

I use that sort of depth over spuds and rhubarb, which can cope with it, but most crops get more like two inches. Not much will come up through eight inches!

[cornykev]

:) Georgie do you live in Enfield? I have a friend in Birkbeck Road. :D :D ;D ;D ;D .

[supersprout]

I use that sort of depth over spuds and rhubarb, which can cope with it, but most crops get more like two inches. Not much will come up through eight inches!

That's so true - it takes a very determined weed to get through eight inches!
I gradually build up the depth as the plants grow - like earthing up, but with mulch :)

[craftyparsnip]

Thought i might give this a try,  i`m  not convinced though - it would mean less digging....

http://www.keirg.freeserve.co.uk/diary/tech/lazybedpics.htm

[supersprout]

Hi wendy, f you search on 'lazy bed' in the forum quite a few peeps do this - so there must be something in it! IMO that bed looks 'unfinished' and just asking for weeds without a g**d th*ck m*lch :-X ;)