Should I cover newly rotavated plot now?

[calendula]

most folk who use it on our allotments use old bricks that are hanging around

[calendula]

[manicscousers]

or black bags of weeds  ;D

[Amazin]

Or tent pegs - Poundstretcher do packs of ten extra-long metal pegs very cheap.

[posie]

I've tried bricks and bits of concrete, not tried tent pegs yet.  Nothing has been successful so far.  Interested in the green manure idea, is it not a bit late to do this though?  I've got some mustard seeds which I understand could be used?

[inski]

I use several six foot long wood posts spaced about three feet apart. I am fortunate in that my BIL gets them free from a local engineering co

[Robert_Brenchley]

Old bricks.

[bupster]

I got stiff wire and cut short lengths to bend as staples. Suspect that won't work on fresh dug earth, but if it's firm and a bit weedy it's great. Otherwise bricks do the trick, with added lengths of wood to keep the edges down. Re green manures, can't do any harm to try - if the weeds are growing, the green manure can... ???

[Rob the rake]

Plastic bags full of soil or sand, or pop bottles full of water.  Both avoid the plastic ripping when it's windy, which can happen with sharp-edged weights.

[posie]

Hmmm looks like i'm too late to sow mustard as a green manure, will have to see if there's anything else I can use.

[tim]

All this & Heaven too - & still it takes off!!

[calendula]

those planks of wood are just not heavy enough, take it off and save yourself the bother  ;D

[tim]

Planks. And sleepers.With bricks & sacks on them? Too old for all that.

Oh, yes - the decision was made a day or so ago, following all the good advice here. They'll be lining the greenhouse floor tomorrow!

[ACE]

Cover your plastic sheet with a carpet, preferably a good heavy wilton. It will look nice if you have one with the autumn leaf pattern.  ;)

Failing that a nice rough dig and let the weather do its job, the real autumn leaves will get trapped amongst the lumpy soil and do the job for nothing.

[tim]

Ace - I can barely lift the heavy duty plastic, let alone 20m2 of carpet!

Always miffs me as to where you put the carpet when not in use??

I'm giving up the fine mesh because I just can't store it. And we have a barn!!

[stig]

bricks!!!!

[beckydore]

My plastic is covered with lots of bits of rubbish which were left behind by the person before me - bits of wood - bricks, stones etc!!

[louise stella]

I have to say that this year I have grown green manures on my empty beds and am pleased with the result, the others I spread my compost heap and leafmould on - the worms and weather will do the reat!

THe plot looks great and winter digging is a thing of the past!

Louise
x

[Old bird]

In one of my gardening mags recently I noticed that Bob Flowerdew was saying that carpets are not good to cover plots anymore.  I think that it was the chemicals thing in the manufacturing process.  Can't remember which or what. Just took in the fact that we ought to look carefully at their use from the organic sense.

Anyone throw any light on this one?

Old Bird

;D

[Robert_Brenchley]

Carpets tend to have loads of chemicals in them, and they're a pain to get rid of. Especially when they're the sort that's wool with artificial fibre woven into the bottom. The wool rots, the grass grows up through what's left, and the result is a nightmare to deal with.

[kenkew]

Hmmm looks like i'm too late to sow mustard as a green manure, will have to see if there's anything else I can use.

Don't believe it. Most of it will sit there and take off come a bit of warmth and it'll help cover the ground before it's warm enough to plant out.