removing couch grass

[shedifice]

I am thinking of setting up me lottie as an independant state and banishing the couch grass, never to return. Anyone tried this method? If it does not look promising I might still have to resort to digging it up  ::)

[shedifice]

[Moggle]

Sounds like a good plan Shedefice, but if that doesn't work, I asked the same question when I took on my couch-infested allotment late last year and got some replies:

http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/yabbse/index.php/topic,5488.0.html

It doesn't like being mowed regularly either apparently.

One third of my lottie had been covered in black plastic for at least a year before I took it on, and that part is mostly couch free, so there's another option. Bits that I have dug up and tried to remove the couch from are still sprouting a bit, but I will hopefully get that under control over time. My hoe is my friend and I just keep chopping the growth off when I can.

Good luck  :)

[NattyEm]

euck I hear ya!  We got our lottie in Jan and its covered in couch grass.  Horrid horrid stuff.  We have mounds of it!

[Kevins299]

what ever you do dont rotavate it as you may get a nice area this year but next year you will pay the price as ever bit of chopped couch grass grows intoa root of its own.....

there is only one way....dig dig dig who ever gives in first wins! ...eventually the grass gets the idea and goes off  to search for pastures where it will be untouched like paths etc....

we have taken the long slow method of sieving each box to get rid of the heavy infestation of roots. this is slow and tiresome but ensures it stays away for at least 3 years. w

we tried the no dig method with heavy mulching and composting but this grass was not informed that it should go away! >:(

covering up is a method that works but when you only have a small area  like we have its not an option to cover for so long...dig and plant and weed whenever you see a root.

also dump the roots for disposal.not inyour compost heap as they just take over .....drown them in a bin of water and use tht to fertalise is an option....we just put ours out for collection......

i used an azada hoe to clear the area quickly and easily..less back strain...got it at www.getdigging.com well worth the cost.

[Gardenantics]

Roundup works fine on couch grass, but using it depends on your organic attitude. You are better  to spray an area off, let it die down, and cover the whole thing with plastic woven groundcover, Phormisol works best, as it allows oxygen through to the soil. You must remember to go around the edge of the area and bury at least 6 inch, to a foot of the plastic in a slit trench to stop re-infesteation from untreated areas. Leave it covered 12 months, and I have found it clear. Once clear you can keep up to weeding by hand, and no chemicals need be used on the soil growing your crops. I have also had great success with clearing couch from an area of tree planting, by watering on roundup at this time of year,before leaves are out on the young trees, then treading down the dead grass and covering it in a layer of grass cuttings, and fallen leaves. Adding material through the season as it is available. Any re-growth of weed  through the mulch is spot treated with roundup, but this is in a non edible tree planting area. The area is now clear, and looks like an old forest floor with lots of humus rich leafy material all over.
Brian