i have just used a scarifier and cut down an area of grass down to the soil. i covered it with blue tarpaulin.
has anybody got any idea how long it will be before i can rotill it up ready for next years planting without the grass coming back.
thanks in advance tonyd
TonyD welcome to A4A!
Blue tarpaulins were the subject of a recent topic which may be of interest
http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,53702.0.html
I'd leave the tarp down till next Spring. You'll find then that the roots will have rotted and the soil will be nice and soft ready to dig. If you really want results, remove the tarp now, cover the ground with manure, spent hops or compost and recover. Alternatively, leave the tarp on till September, then sow grazing rye or winter tares.
Or just get stuck into it now with a spade. Slice the turf into the bottom of the trench.
thanks a lot for all your replies folks.
had a look at that link you gave flighty thanks for that.
i think i will leave it down to the end of the month then check to see if anything is still growing. then i will decide whether to cover it with manure or cardboard.
do you think it will be OK to use fresh uncomposted horse manure?
i think the manure will break down over the winter, but i may have trouble getting rid of the cardboard. we will see.
this is my second year of trying to grow veg in my garden, i was able to feed 3 families last year this year so far nothing. so i am doubling the area and living in hope
Quote from: Eristic on August 09, 2009, 03:13:16
Or just get stuck into it now with a spade. Slice the turf into the bottom of the trench.
Depends what the turf is. It works with lawn grass but not with couch!
QuoteIt works with lawn grass but not with couch!
It does work although not 100%. Good enough to get cropping then the second year can be spent improving the site. I believe the secret is getting stuff in as soon as possible to fill the site. So many people spend several years trying to get the plot right before planting anything and end up not ever getting a crop.
You will do more good turning it over now and digging out any perenial weeds. Then cover the lot with manure. Then put the tarpualin on top of that
Come spring the worms will have got a lot work done for you.
There is no short cut to digging.
QuoteThere is no short cut to digging.
You do not need short cuts to digging. Digging is easy and only takes a few hours. Leave it afterwards to weather a bit then get growing.
We're already into August and winter onions and garlic will be wanting to go in round October time, Christmas comes and goes then early peas, broad beans onion sets then all hell breaks loose.
Nowadays people make a big issue about a little bit of digging but when done right it is so easy. Get stuck in.
Quote from: Eristic on August 09, 2009, 23:26:31
It does work although not 100%.
You might reduce it, but then you have couch roots dug in deep where they're harder to get out. Left to itself it's shallow rooting, and it's easy to get under the roots. Once it's down deep it's far easier to miss bits, and then you get it colonising again.
welcome to A4A Tony
I've used both tarpaulins (blue / green etc) and cheap weed suppressant. All have had varying results, but have definietly helped me to start the process of killing off the couch grass, and to get things planted.
I gather you are growing in a garden so presume you are dealing with grass and not couch? If so grass is much much easier to deal with
And hope next years afforts are more rewarding :)