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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: Pinkgirl on April 13, 2007, 11:15:59

Title: what are good things for planting through cardboard?
Post by: Pinkgirl on April 13, 2007, 11:15:59
Hi,

Just taken on a rather overgrow plot with friends and am looking to clear slowly my beds.

I've started to dig over one and have put some spuds in.

For the other beds I'd like to cover them with cardboard for at least a while. However rather than just let it go to waste I've see than some crops are ideal to grow through the cardboard.

So far I'm thinking off courgettes (for eating as picked and possible freezing) and butternut squash or pumpkin which I will hopefully store?
Are there any other suggestions. The soil is clay and doesn't appera to have been worked for a while. The beds are 4ft by approx. 15ft. and I,ll have 3 in total including the one I've started on (3 of us sharing - each doing or own thing with the beds to stat with).


Also for the squash can I just by one from the greengrocers and use the seeds form that (either sowing directly or growing in pots at home then transplanting when bigger)


Thanks

PG


Title: Re: what are good things for planting through cardboard?
Post by: okra on April 13, 2007, 18:57:55
Runner beans or climbing beans should be okay
Title: Re: what are good things for planting through cardboard?
Post by: saddad on April 13, 2007, 22:12:38
Anything you can transplant should be OK... watch out for nesting slugs!
:-X
Title: Re: what are good things for planting through cardboard?
Post by: Deb P on April 13, 2007, 23:30:11
Squashes are particularly good because of their copious foliage smothers any weedy opposition! ;D

I did this with a new lasagna bed in my garden last year; it's not the best photo, but the bed in the middle at the end was made last year over cardboard and planted with squashes, beans and chard.

(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l47/dlp133/Gardenandallotmentsjuly06003.jpg)
Title: Re: what are good things for planting through cardboard?
Post by: Pinkgirl on April 14, 2007, 08:13:36
Thanks,

I've got some runner beans germinating in kitchin paper (I hope) and was going to use the plot i had cleared once I can get some compost on it but this may be better.

May also try the sweetcorn unless anyone can see a problem in that

Many Thanks

PG