New lotttie strimming in the morning help needed

[Dana]

Hi folks :-D new lottie, got the petrol strimmer for the weekend.  As we strim and find a dock or nettle or horse tail do we dig it out please. We are putting black plastic over afterwards. We have decided not to use weed killer. Please help  :)

[Dana]

[kt.]

Nothing wrong with strimming the site first.  You will be able to see the ground so should be easier for digging out the roots.  So much fun...... ;D ;D  Welcome to the site btw.

[Dana]

Hi Klawson :)  what I mean is as we are strimming, and come across nettle and dock do we dig them out please?

[Unwashed]

Hi Dana, it's good to get started isn't it.  Horse tail's tricky and I've never had it myself.  Dock and nettle are no real problem, but I wouldn't bother with the plastic, I'd strim it down close, rake up and compost that, and then dig it through, and then dig it through again, and only then start pulling out whatever showed itself.  I reckon it's more important to get it dug and get the weather into it than it is to pull out every bit of weed, because there's not much survives being dug in twice, and when you have some kind of tilth it's much easier to get the weeds out and knock the soil off the roots so it rots down on the compost heap.  But my soil's light, and I like digging.

Watch how you go when you're strimming, you'll find all kinds of everything in that long grass.

[grannyjanny]

If you have a look on wiki across the top of the page you will find a section for newbies. Click on to Eristics thread & he has a section on clearing  & strimming & how to do it safely. Don't strim brambles. Enjoy yourselves. It's great fun.

[nilly71]

Don't forget to take the before and after pictures.

I'd strim then dig over as suggested. If you can get some chicken wire or bread trays, it may help sort out the large roots and break up the soil.

Neil

[Ishard]

Bread trays? Used as a sieve? Great idea!  ;D

[Dana]

Hi, had a lovely day.  What lovely folks the allotmenteers are.  They all called in to say Hi :). 

We found allsorts must be at least 30 glass milk bottles, and sets of rusty pans.  All loads of light fittings   ::) and a  christmas tree. 

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/munkyok1/DSCF0811.jpg

The strimming went well  ;D

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/munkyok1/DSCF0814.jpg

Will be there tomorrow, not starting till 11.00 am, I think we might be a bit tired tomorrow.

[manicscousers]

wow,  what a difference  ;D

[cornykev]

A nice bath, an early night, big breakfast tommorow and straight back into it. But take it a bit at a time, don't do too much digging , plenty of breaks, aim for say a six foot square area and look back at it and it will give you inspiration for the next bit. Some people try and do too much in one day and then their too stiff to do anything for a few days.     ;D ;D ;D

[Dana]

Thanks Manicscousers and Corkykev, yes an early night.    ::) our arms are a bit of a mess, the grass really does fly up and cut you arms doesn't it ? The lass that I am doing the lottie with, her partners Dad is a farmer. We are going to take the front panels off the lottie when the Council take the rubbish.  Then he is bringing his tractor and going to rotivate is for us.  He is also going to make regular deliveries of cow manure.  We really are loving it, a dream come true  ;D

[chriscross1966]

... Then he is bringing his tractor and going to rotivate is for us.  He is also going to make regular deliveries of cow manure.... 

Free manure and rotavating?....we all hate you with a passion :D .... It can be a world of adventure strimming through the first time can't it? :D... I'll repeat what others have said, try not to let it get on top of you, dig little and often, you might also try the trick I have done by using bulk builders bags half-filled with soil and manure, sticking them on top ogf the mulch plastic... it holds it in place and you get an admittedly scruffy looking raised bed going in no time flat... I got the bags and the soil off freecycle but I do have a big vehicle to pick the soil up with...

chrisc

[SPUDLY]

Don't forget to keep some of that old timber in the first picture, you look like you have enough to build a compost bin.

[cornykev]

Don't forget to get them roots out before you rotovate.  ;D ;D ;D

[Digeroo]

Do be a little wary of the manure even if it is from a guaranteed source.  Only plant a few things in it at a time.  Beans and tomatoes will soon tell you if they are not happy.  Much better to loose a couple of plants than a whole row.