The first thing on my to do list is to clear the weeds from my plot. I'm not sure what the weeds are, because frankly I'm more than a bit green. There is some grass of the playing field variety, some brambles, and some bushy brown dead looking stuff (that's the technical name ;)).
I gather some weeds will need to be dug out quite deeply. The whole plot hasn't been tended in a few years so will need to be well dug anyway. My question is, my local HSS hire have suggested a tool for killing and clearing the weeds from the surface prior to digging - it's like a big blowtorch. They have suggested that if I blast the lot and clear the surface and cover, and then dig bit by bit. Does this sound right? Is it good advice, or is there a better way?
Also, what it the difference between a rotavator and a cultivator?
Also, when I have dug my beds, I gather that I'm best covering those that aren't planted to reduce weed growth over the winter. Can I cover the paths too, for the same reason? Permanently?
cultivator
1. a farm implement equipped with shovels, blades, etc., used to break up soil and remove weeds
2. a person or thing that cultivates
3. a person who grows, tends, or improves plants or crops
Rotavator or Rotovator:
Trademarka type of machine with rotating blades that will break up soil
History: C20: original form Rotavator, from rota(ry) (culti)vator
These were extracts direct from collins dictionary.
As for the blow torch:
It wont do much good for deep roots though it is good for surface clearing. Ensure you have water to hand incase of fire getting out of cotrol! . Fine for clearing the surface, but the roots may force through new growth.
if it was me I'd go for a strimmer rather than a blow torch, but I've never actually used either! I'm not sure what the effects are on the soil of being burned â€" not sure if it's a good thing, like being sterilised, that will kill off any pests or diseases that may be lurking, or a bad thing because it will kill off all the little beneficial insects, bacteria, worms, etc. probably a bit of both!
I cut down all the weeds on my plot with hand shears and although it was hard work it meant that I didn't accidentally strim or bbq the frogs and toad I uncovered ;D! I'm guessing it's mostly personal preference and as long as the weeds get destroyed somehow it doesn't reallly matter which method you choose. but as you said, the roots of the perennial weeds will have to be dug out otherwise they'll just keep on coming back to haunt you!
good luck with it, and don't forget to take some "before" pictures of the jungle :)
Hmmm. Forget the blow torch thing then.
(Sorry, should have thought to look on dictionary.com :-[)
Quote from: LauraB on December 07, 2006, 13:43:05
when I have dug my beds, I gather that I'm best covering those that aren't planted to reduce weed growth over the winter. Can I cover the paths too, for the same reason? Permanently?
Yes, covering beds is a good idea. I think you may be too late to sow an overwintering green manure** crop but others here may know better. It might be worth trying grazing rye if you're in a sheltered site and not too far north.
And yes again, you can certainly cover paths permanently -- a thick layer of woodchips/ bark chippings, topped up periodically, is probably your best bet unless you want to use paving stones. I'd strip off the turf and pull out the nasty perennial weed-roots first, though.
**plants that you sow simply to cut down and dig into the soil to provide nutrients and stop rain from washing away soil and nutrients. See http://www.gardenzone.info/green_manures.html
LB,
Your local hire outfit wasn't far off the mark.
Torching the top growth & covering with a black membrane will be a good starter at this time of year.
You can peel back a section when required/dig/clear & plant at the right time - which will probably be next spring. Worth the wait!
If you do use a flame gun to burn the tops, it is best to go over once to scrorch the foliage, let it be for a day or so then burn again. You will save a lot of time and effort. Flame gunning is very good for clearing slugs from moist weeds.
Quote from: norfolklass on December 07, 2006, 14:49:14
if it was me I'd go for a strimmer rather than a blow torch, but I've never actually used either! I'm not sure what the effects are on the soil of being burned â€" not sure if it's a good thing, like being sterilised, that will kill off any pests or diseases that may be lurking, or a bad thing because it will kill off all the little beneficial insects, bacteria, worms, etc. probably a bit of both!
I dont believe the burning will do any damage as ash is recommended to be turned in the soil. It wont burn deep enough to destroy all goodness and will re-jeuvinate with whats underneath when mixed. When the perineal roots are dug out & dried they can be burnt too.
This is completely true you will not even make the soil warm below about an inch with a flame gun so no harm will be done to the soil.
If the plot's as overgrown as it sounds, you may cremate the odd hedgehog or toad... Although there's always the risk of chopping them up if you use sheers (done that to a toad, sadly!).
If it's really overgrown, cut it back with a grass hook, or strim it first. A torch has its place, but burning through long grass really isn't it. At this time of year when it's so damp, you'll just be paying out for a load of paraffin to cremate it when it would be easier to use other means. If you don't want to lash out on a strimmer, get a grass hook and do a bit each day; I wouldn't be without one.
As has already been mentioned above, using a flame on the earth will only destroy the soil's natural resources. You need all those insects, worms, beetles, flies and so on to keep the earth healthy.
Gardeners are meant to protect nature, not to destroy it.
The best thing to do is to start in a corner with a fork, dig it in, push it forwards and then backwards to loosen the earth then simply remove all the loosened plants, roots as well. Then repeat sideways over a width of say 2 metres gradually afterwards working down. Any really big roots can be attended to at the same time.
This takes time but leaves the earth loose and weedfree. Once the first part is finished just rake it now and agin to disturb any growth you don't want and keep doing it until you are ready to plant in spring.
Of course, you're all right about destroying the wildlife. I would be pretty unhappy if I baked any of the local residents!
I could hire a brush cutter, but there are quite a lot of frogs on the site. Maybe old fashioned shears, followed by a fork, are the way to go.
Can I shred and compost my weeds?
I cut mine down with shears and it only took me 3 weekends: Saturday afternoons and all day Sundays. I found it a good way to get to know my plot, uncovering patches of different weeds, remains of previous crops, little wildlife paths through the wilderness. it was actually very therapeutic :) but I was really lucky with the weather and had nothing but sunshine, or at least no rain. try shears and see how it goes â€" if it's too much like hard work or too slow going, hire something bigger!
Gosh, all this sounds like making it hard work. I cleared my plot with simply a pair of shears and a fork. Cut the undergrowth down close to ground level, then dig out the roots. Work a square yard at a time ... You can sort the rubbish into two piles, woody materials for burning, and soft green stuff for composting. The first year, lots of weeds will resurface, but the plot will be tamed over a period of time.
I think a lot depends on the type of soil. We have light soil so the "fork and pull" (if you'll pardon the expression) worked well. If the soil is heavier more of the weed roots break off and remain behind to generate regrowth.
The only thing that seems to stop brambles is catching them with glyphosate when they start growing in the spring but a lot of people don't like using pesticides, which is quite understandable.
Hi, If it were me I'd go over the plot with a strimmer, then rake the loose stuff off. Then on a STILL day I would spray with glyphosate, this is a herbicide, not pesticide and so will not hurt your local wildlife. The weeds will take some time to die off at this time of year, but they will eventually. The Glyphosate will kill roots, a flame gun only kills the tops,and they soon grow back. :'(
Sorry, absolutely correct, of course it is a herbicide not pesticide yet I'm one of those who gets annoyed when writers confuse effect and affect. I shall have to fall on my correcting pencil and end it all :'( :)