Hi, New to here and allotments so need some advice to start me off. Been growing veg in my back yard here for years but now expanded to my own plot. Plot is full of weeds, mainly bindweed, grass, dandelions and thistles and obviously want to rid of quickly, but safely (organically if possible). Any tips appreciated
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Welcome to A4A Kev... the bindweed and thistles can be hard to dig out... Dandelions not too bad. Is the grass couch?
I'd be tempted to "nuke" it but at this time of year when the weeds aren't growing well it isn't always effective and not "organic".
If the site allows you to cover it you could go for the black plastic approach. I'd be tempted to strim it right down. Dig it roughly, for the larger roots, leave the frost to get at it and dig it again as soon as workable in Spring... then dig out any new growth regularly... just keeping the top off perennial weeds will wekaen them eventually.. :-\
Bindweed is a dreadful thing to get rid of but the tip is (for next year) train it up a cane and feed it to encourage a beautiful growth then on a wind free day get a paint brush dipped in weed killer and paint every bit of the foliage. Dont spray it because the spray can get on to other plants.
When it dies back dig up the roots and dispose of it any where but the compost bin. Roundup is a good weed killer and it is considered organic, the cost can be prohibitive though.
I compost everything else. Despite arguments that it is wrong to do so. It is up to you but the first thing you do need is a compost bin. Dig out every bit of the roots of dandelions and docks if you can. They grow back otherwise.
You never get rid of weeds altogether what ever happens it is just a matter of keeping on top of them.
Quote from: PurpleHeather on October 07, 2009, 15:42:53
Roundup is a good weed killer and it is considered organic,
Perhaps you 'consider' Roundup to be organic but I don't know anyone else who does ???
Roundup is glyphosate.
Hi KK, I thought I'd get in early and say my welcomes before the roundup debate starts, I'd like to know more about it being organic though PH. ??? ;D ;D ;D
Lots of people seem to think they can spray with roundup then become organic the next day. They choose to ignore the fact that Roundup can persist in the soil for up to 2 years & many of them replant immediately despite the fact that even Monsanto state you can only plant ornamentals after 24 hours & the majority of edible crops should not be planted for at least 30 days.
If you choose to use weedkiller rather than digging out the weeds then Mistral produce an organic vinegar based weedkiller, remember to read the label carefully & follow all instructions.
http://www.mistral.ie/details.php?code=R5002
Me probably:.... If I get another plot now (fingers crossed I'm going to) then I'd probably rotovate (I knw, I know) then go through it with a fork to get as much weedroot as possible out now. Then leave it uncovered for the winter and stockpile cardboard etc...
Go over another bit of it again to try and really get it cleaned out and plant up garlic and overwintering onions, leave a bit and in a couple of weeks or so get a row of overwintering broadbeans in then in November sometime a row of shallots....
once things start happening in March (ie you start seeing weeds) get out there and dig it again, preferably adding some manure, chicken pellets and BFB, then cover in cardboard, preferably more than one layer and mulch it over with either held down or manure or both.... Then plant ground clearing crops like potatos, squash and sweetcorn through holes over most of it. If you start plants off in modules adn pots then an awful lot of stuff an be planted out as young plants though holes punched in the mulch/cardboard.... that way most of the weeds get smothered adn you can worry less about them (you'll get the odd robust speciment turnign up but they will be isolated adn easily spotted)
chrisc
I compost bindweed. It dies like everything else, and gets eaten by worms.
Quote from: Robert_Brenchley on October 07, 2009, 19:22:34
I compost bindweed. It dies like everything else, and gets eaten by worms.
I'm going to burn mine... tomatos need to eat same as the worms do.... ;D
chrisc
Quote from: Robert_Brenchley on October 07, 2009, 19:22:34
I compost bindweed. It dies like everything else, and gets eaten by worms.
Or it takes over the compost heap if there isn't enough heat! I would never compost bindweed without drying itn out first- I leave it in heaps in dry weather after digging out. I've also tried drowning it this year.
P.S. Just thought, maybe you aren't talking about the roots, Robert!
I certainly am. They go straight in the compost bins.
they happily grow in mine :'( and i don't even compost them :-\, they pass under the boundary >:(.
which means i have to sift every spadeful of compost unless i want to reintroduce it to my vege beds.
Quote from: thifasmom on October 08, 2009, 16:18:17
they happily grow in mine :'( and i don't even compost them :-\, they pass under the boundary >:(.
which means i have to sift every spadeful of compost unless i want to reintroduce it to my vege beds.
Yep, same here!
Quoteit is considered organic, the cost can be prohibitive though.
I iound it very effective but certainly would not consider it to be organic. After many organic years in my garden I have a huge bindweed problem. I know of no organic ways to get rid of it. Perhaps the only thing that has helped is wooden boards, it seems to bring the roots to the surface and make them easier to dig out.
I wanted some raspberries and to my great shame I nuked it with roundup before planting.
There is an organic way to get rid of it. Keep digging it out every time you clear the ground until it's all gone. Of course, that doesn't work along a hedge, or round shrubs or anything permanent which can't be dug up.
Robert is right, the organic way is to dig it out and it works given time. Just dig the beds each time you clear crops and eventually you get there. I have lots of raspberry canes and when i got the plot it was ALL OVER the roots and I foresaw a major problem. In reality i garden fabric-ed (SPM) between canes and any that came it I kept pulling out (once a week for 5 mins) and it has been pretty easy to control. I'm planning to lift some canes this winter when dormant to get the bulk of the bindweed out and I hope next summer there will be less still. its an on-going project, just like the plot in general.