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Produce => Pests & Diseases => Topic started by: LILACSPLASH on October 27, 2006, 22:35:50

Title: couch grass, too wet to burn, what now?
Post by: LILACSPLASH on October 27, 2006, 22:35:50
Even the petrol doesn't work now. I've had to turn the kids play area over to beds 'cos the family is sooo big and I can't grow enough . But what do I do with the couch grass (99.99% of the plot)? I've heard of putting it in bin bags for 6 months then put in the compost but somehow I think 'she who must be obeyed' would not go for this... any ideas? ???
Title: Re: couch grass, too wet to burn, what now?
Post by: supersprout on October 27, 2006, 23:26:19
put it in a barrel of water and it will rot down, then use the water as liquid feed.
Warning - phew! :-X
Title: Re: couch grass, too wet to burn, what now?
Post by: LILACSPLASH on October 28, 2006, 00:33:05
ready for next growing season?  ;)
Title: Re: couch grass, too wet to burn, what now?
Post by: supersprout on October 28, 2006, 09:23:29
yep, should be ultra fetid by then! ;D
apparently the roots are full of Nurrishment :P
Title: Re: couch grass, too wet to burn, what now?
Post by: saddad on October 28, 2006, 09:49:07
As long as you get it to totally dry out it makes great compost, they are full of loads of nutrients... I bag it up in compost sacks exclude the light and wait anything up to two years...
:o
Title: Re: couch grass, too wet to burn, what now?
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on October 28, 2006, 10:23:55
I just sling it in the compost bin; it's never been one of the plants which survives that long in the dark.
Title: Re: couch grass, too wet to burn, what now?
Post by: LILACSPLASH on October 28, 2006, 11:34:41
cool, I think I might do both. I can get my hands on a drum with tap and can slip it in by the shed. But I think my Traditional Pallet compo bin will have to make way for a new plastic one to be able to exclude the light. :-[ and to take the amont I have. I've got a new one at home, but as our lottie is going decidedly 'upmarket' I liked the rustic look, the rebel I am ;D
Title: Re: couch grass, too wet to burn, what now?
Post by: manicscousers on October 28, 2006, 20:29:18
we put everything in water, a real mixture, docks, nettles, mares tail, nothing survives for long and they all add something to the feed :)
Title: Re: couch grass, too wet to burn, what now?
Post by: telboy on November 04, 2006, 18:15:11
It don't like the sun. Expose it if you can & it dies. Bit like Dracula.
Title: Re: couch grass, too wet to burn, what now?
Post by: louise stella on January 06, 2007, 18:23:31
I can sympathise with you - I have filled up one compost bin with the stuff (pallets) and am now on to either burning or black bagging it!  like all weeds - it contains nutrients so it'a a shame to dump it!

Louise
Title: Re: couch grass, too wet to burn, what now?
Post by: kt. on January 06, 2007, 22:33:14
I burnt loads when I took over my new current plot last year. I still have a pile of it that has been sat there for 3 months now. It will sit there till weather is dry enough for me to burn it.
Title: Re: couch grass, too wet to burn, what now?
Post by: supersprout on January 07, 2007, 01:48:35
Quote from: telboy on November 04, 2006, 18:15:11
It don't like the sun. Expose it if you can & it dies. Bit like Dracula.

Apparently your Victorian Kitchen Gardener would use cooch roots laid out to dry in the killer sun for tying beans onto poles. Thrifty!
Title: Re: couch grass, too wet to burn, what now?
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on January 07, 2007, 09:46:42
That suggests that Victorian head gardeners had more couch available in their gardens than they may have like to admit to!
Title: Re: couch grass, too wet to burn, what now?
Post by: Froglegs on January 07, 2007, 10:09:41
Bet they had a couch grass boy who for the 1st year of is apprenticeship his job was to find couch grass. ;) ;D
Title: Re: couch grass, too wet to burn, what now?
Post by: saddad on January 07, 2007, 12:09:17
Something else for the poor "potboy" to do on a cold wet day!
:'(
Title: Re: couch grass, too wet to burn, what now?
Post by: supersprout on January 07, 2007, 16:18:47
Quote from: froglegs on January 07, 2007, 10:09:41
Bet they had a couch grass boy who for the 1st year of is apprenticeship his job was to find couch grass. ;) ;D

trouble is I bet you're right! :'( ::)