getting rid of weeds with manure?!

[huskies]

We're totally inexperienced beginners and have taken on 2 plots with waste high weeds.  Someone suggested that we strim them and them dump manure on top, and that this would kill off the weeds.  Are they having a laugh at us? ???

[huskies]

[Robert_Brenchley]

It'll kill a fair few, but not the real nasties.

[supersprout]

Hi huskies, good luck with your two plots, wow!
Anything laid on top of weeds will kill them, slow them down or stop them growing, provided it's thick enough and keeps out the light.

If you use organic matter - strimmings, hay, straw, compost, well-rotted manure - at a depth of about 8", it'll do the job except as Robert says for persistent weeds.

If you check the wiki on A4a (fourth button from the right), there are lots of ideas for clearing a new plot of weeds, including laying down mulches, organic or synthetic.

It's certainly one of your options imo, worth checking what other options are and how they suit your circumstances. Spreading 8" of manure over two plots - I'd reckon that would be about two tons :o

[Robert_Brenchley]

If you're going to lay several inches of mulch over a weedy plot, it's worth putting a layer of cardboard from those big  boxes underneath to make it even harder for the nasties to get through.

[billyish]

can you not burn on your site? if not i would cover the plot with Polly sheeting

[huskies]

thanks all, i was wondering if someone was having a laugh at our expense, but I guess i should have more faith in human nature!!  I think we'll have a go at the cardboard layer as well (have just moved house, so loads of cardboard currently at hand).  cheers!