Topic: to seed or not to seed

[cliffe.kent]

Today we had a JCB in levelling and spreading lots of probably centuries old compost on our site. We have cleared to allow this to happen, is it true sowing the "poached egg plant" will deter couch grass from regrowing?

[betula]

I have not heard of that one.

[star]

Neither have I, but if it doesnt you'll have lots of couch with pretty flowers in between, coz as Im sure you know once poached egg plant goes to seed............. ::)

[betula]

Yes like Forget Me Not ,but I do love them so,I don't have the heart to pull them out. :)

[Deb P]

I think it is only some of the tagetes family that are supposed to deter couch grass by exuding something from their roots that disagrees with it...I tried growing tagetes 'minuta' last year....no germination from the whole packet sown three different times so I gave up!

I think poached egg plants are popular for attracring pollinating insects to lotties, that what I grow them for, but they are like forget me nots, once you have them....... :-\

[Barnowl]

Perhaps a green manure might be better?

I struggled with the minuta as well - eventually used a lot of heat to get them going. Then they got eaten by birds.  Will try one more time this year - and let them get bigger before planting out.