Weed suppressing membrane

[Shas]

Not going to be able to dig the whole plot this year, but should get one side up and running.
Anyone know a good website to get cheap weed suppressing membrane/black plastic/anything similar, to cover the other half for the winter?
Cheers gang X

[Shas]

[jennym]

Black perforated plastic:
https://secure.mmm.co.uk/cgi-bin/site-editor.pl/14/-ecommerce?action=item;item=PMF500%2d4R;eid=572922;pid=71743
or more expensive but much longer lasting, the woven stuff with pegs:
https://secure.mmm.co.uk/cgi-bin/site-editor.pl/14/-ecommerce?action=item;item=PGC2X50;eid=572922;pid=71743
https://secure.mmm.co.uk/cgi-bin/site-editor.pl/14/-ecommerce?action=item;item=FIXPEG100;eid=572922;pid=71743

[supersprout]

Well you did say 'or other' ;)
Wot about spoiled hay or straw? Should be free excl. delivery IF you can find a co-operative farmer nearby :)
You'll need 1/4 ton to coat your half plot about 8" thick ;D

[Shas]

Thanks folks, knew someone would be able to help.
Would you believe, after my last posting, in town yesterday and found weed suppressing membrane in the local Poundland.  2x5 metres for a quid, so I bought the lot!  Only about 8, but enough to make a start today.  Will check out the websites for more this weekend. 
Will ask questions today while I'm down there, hopefully digging after all this rain, to see if anyone knows where I can get the straw.  Thinking of membraning the side we're leaving till spring, and mulching with the straw when we've dug the first bit over, and let it over-winter.
Will keep you informed.

[wahaj]

i went to poundland and coulnt find any :( i've got myself an allotment that i want to use primarily to grow sweet peas and pumpkins and stuff. but it's about chest high with weeds lol. it's not in a plac where i can get a tractor to come and do the work...so i need some fabric. is it possible to use thick black bin bags weighed down? i will need a lot of them though, lol.

[Heldi]

You can use cardboard.  It's quite good though a shorter term thing as it rots down.  All my empty cardboard boxes go to the lotty.

[Shas]

All my empty cardboard boxes that I was saving for the lotty have gone to daughter, as she is moving house.
Sorry not been on for a week, been a bit busy.  Have not had chance to get down the lotty either.  Had planned to go today, but the weather seems to dictate otherwise. (maybe tomorrow Jack???????)
Will let you know how the cheapy membrane is holding up asap.  If it only does till next spring at that price, who cares?

[cambourne7]

I Got my weed membrane from ebay.

have a look at Item number: 140028560453

[saddad]

Waist high weeds sounds like a paradise Wahaj... just think how fertile that soil will be... just scythe or strim down all the weeds and add all that humus back into the plot... Remember, If it won't grow weeds it won't grow owt!
;D

[wahaj]

Waist high weeds sounds like a paradise Wahaj... just think how fertile that soil will be... just scythe or strim down all the weeds and add all that humus back into the plot... Remember, If it won't grow weeds it won't grow owt!
;D

true. but i haven't got a scythe....or know anywhere nearby to buy it. even if i did i couldn't afford it as i understand they normally cost atleast £30-40.

it's a shame....but i'll probably end up having to give my allotment up because the guy said you have to keep the weeds down or they'll take it off you. i guess it might aswell go to someone who can put it to use rather than sitting there.

i guess when i'm a bit older and more financially settled i can give it a go. but for now...i'll just have to stick to my garden. oh well.

[supersprout]

oo before you decide wahaj, it doesn't have to be expensive or hard work - tho it can be :-\

do you enjoy planning and dreaming, sowing, planting, harvesting, eating scrumptious veg straight off the vine/out of the ground, or just pottering in the fresh air?
you don't have to dig, and you don't have to weed much if you don't want to :o
see emagggie's thread http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/joomla/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,91/topic,24358.0

I don't dig or weed (much) and the chap from the Council says he's happy with the way my plot looks ;) Most of the time it just sits there too, with veg growing through the mulch. My job is to keep it mulched, planted up and harvest, and tidy from time to time, and the plot does the rest :-*



'The Half Hour Allotment' book might be helpful in thinking through priorities so even brief visits to the plot are productive ::)

a sickle will cost a few pounds and works a treat. Or will your local authority come and mow your plot, and leave the mulch in a pile? Our Council will, though you have to beg them not to rotavate whilst they're at it :D

It's up to you of course wahaj, but there are lots of different ways to cultivate, you might find one that suits your time of life, purse and time. You can always change if you want the exercise of digging ;)

[KMARKSnr]

Look up The Lasagna Method,- i use this method,and "boy" does it work!

             Just type Lasagna Method into your search engine,and away you go.

                      Best wishes
                             Mark.