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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: knw on January 04, 2009, 12:12:22

Title: Chickweed overtaking me!
Post by: knw on January 04, 2009, 12:12:22
Hi ... Am new the site so ... Hello!
I took over a plot in the summer last year and chucked a few bits and pieces in - including bits kindly given by neighbouring plot holders. So managed a late crop of dwarf beans, leeks, carrots, cabbages of various type. Over winter i have onion and garlic ...... Eagerly awaiting the frost to go so i can dig through ready for a proper run at it this year. Stawbs, potatoes a definitie plus above again .....
So whats the issue ----- CHICKWEED.
Plenty of other weeds which seem to be reducing a bit but I can't get on top of it at all ..... I went up over Christmas and its getting more like a carpet!!!   
Does anyone have a magic trick that might help - someone has said it might be simply a long battle and keep pulling up as much root as I can.
Cheers!!
Title: Re: Chickweed overtaking me!
Post by: saddad on January 04, 2009, 12:15:18
As it is only surface really burn it off with weedol or similar a couple of times.. then mulch your plantings with grass cutings etc, it isn't really a problem and you must have good soil to support loads of it!  ;D
Title: Re: Chickweed overtaking me!
Post by: RSJK on January 04, 2009, 12:45:04

I agree with Saddad..you have got very good lettuce ground if you have chickweed
Title: Re: Chickweed overtaking me!
Post by: saddad on January 04, 2009, 12:46:48
It is actually edible as a salading, but I've never tried it myself...  :-\
Title: Re: Chickweed overtaking me!
Post by: caroline7758 on January 04, 2009, 13:47:08
Think yourself lucky if your worst problem is chickweed! ;D Thought I was getting on top if the bindweed a bit, but now the creeping buttercup is taking over- doesn't even seem to die in the winter. >:(
Title: Re: Chickweed overtaking me!
Post by: Plot69 on January 04, 2009, 14:19:04
If you have good clean chickweed unsullied by dogs or cats then any canary breeder will love you forever. I used to breed canaries and had to travel miles to find a "safe" supply.

Other than that just keep digging it in, preferably before it seeds itself and it should get less and less.
Title: Re: Chickweed overtaking me!
Post by: knw on January 04, 2009, 17:02:39
Cheers all!
Maybe not as bad as i thought it was going to be ....
I didn't do letuce last year as had no cover/cloches - but will try them out this year .... fingers crossed for a bumper crop then?
Title: Re: Chickweed overtaking me!
Post by: tonybloke on January 04, 2009, 21:36:34
As a living mulch, it stops erosion and nutrient leeching,  ;)
Title: Re: Chickweed overtaking me!
Post by: delboy on January 05, 2009, 10:08:03
And chickens love it, of course!
Title: Re: Chickweed overtaking me!
Post by: RSJK on January 05, 2009, 20:08:15

knw ....
           you do not need  covers/ cloche  to grow lettuce it will grow quite happily without them.  ;)