I don't know about you, but don't you think this year has grown a bumper crop of weeds? I thought it was just my problem but chatting to some of the other lottie owners, seems as though it has been worse this year for all of them. I must admit, I did use a rotovator for the first time, in Spring and I know from this site that that can cause weeds to spread. Now, I would like some advice. At the end of the season, I would like to prepare for next year. I think I will cover the beds in plastic. I have a large blue lorry sheet, would that do? Would I need to prick holes in it? Could I put some weedkiller down before I cover it up, if so, what would be the most effective type to use? :-\
Yep - rotovating a weedy plot with make weeds thrive - as i am sure you know!
Not sure what a lorry sheet is, but weed-suppressant stuff needs to block light out from the weeds to work. I don't think that you will need to use weedkiller in the same place though.
Lryy sheeting is like that woven plastic stuff that you buy trailer covers in. It's just huge enough for a lorry!!!! It is mid blue in colour so I hope it will block out the light. My plot was not weedy when I rotovated it, it has just developed over the season, but maybe rotorvating it has contributed to it. I just thought that some weedkiller would give me a more clear ground before I do it again, next year.
if you can get some very thick cardboard (our family stores theirs for us all year), put that on your beds before your cover,it'll block the light out and it encourages worms too ;D
If you decide to go with weedkiller, make sure you leave it uncovered for long enough for it to work down into the roots. The plants need light to metabolise the weed killer.
(I think)
;D
Oh, that is a good point. I would have just sprayed it and covered it straight away. Will bear that in mind. Thanks :)