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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: cliffe.kent on February 22, 2008, 22:42:16

Title: to seed or not to seed
Post by: cliffe.kent on February 22, 2008, 22:42:16
Today we had a JCB in levelling and spreading lots of probably centuries old compost on our site. We have cleared to allow this to happen, is it true sowing the "poached egg plant" will deter couch grass from regrowing?
Title: Re: to seed or not to seed
Post by: betula on February 22, 2008, 22:46:53
I have not heard of that one.
Title: Re: to seed or not to seed
Post by: star on February 22, 2008, 22:55:11
Neither have I, but if it doesnt you'll have lots of couch with pretty flowers in between, coz as Im sure you know once poached egg plant goes to seed............. ::)
Title: Re: to seed or not to seed
Post by: betula on February 22, 2008, 23:15:08
Yes like Forget Me Not ,but I do love them so,I don't have the heart to pull them out. :)
Title: Re: to seed or not to seed
Post by: Deb P on February 23, 2008, 11:19:17
I think it is only some of the tagetes family that are supposed to deter couch grass by exuding something from their roots that disagrees with it...I tried growing tagetes 'minuta' last year....no germination from the whole packet sown three different times so I gave up!

I think poached egg plants are popular for attracring pollinating insects to lotties, that what I grow them for, but they are like forget me nots, once you have them....... :-\
Title: Re: to seed or not to seed
Post by: Barnowl on February 25, 2008, 15:32:28
Perhaps a green manure might be better?

I struggled with the minuta as well - eventually used a lot of heat to get them going. Then they got eaten by birds.  Will try one more time this year - and let them get bigger before planting out.