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There has been quite a bit of discussion about preparing plots. Some people prefer to cover the plot and clear it slowly over a season or two, others prefer to get it sorted and into production asap as they have that "growing itch" that requires some ground available to use very quickly. Some use rotovators and others dont. All methods of plot clearance have their merits and I dont intend to dismiss any of them.
This thread is to show that done properly, you can have a plot cleaned and ready for planting with little effort and environmental impact. Yes it does involve spraying and yes it does involve a rotovator but once done my plots never see a spray again or feel a rotovator. You have to do it properly otherwise you just cause problems for yourself and your plot neighbours.
May I stress, that whilst this method is not for all, it works for me and is a one hit wonder, leaving a full plot ready to plant in weeks.
We took on a half plot last autumn. It was quite overgrown with couch grass, bindweed and dock, three nightmare weeds to clear. This overgrowth was sprayed on a clear sunny day with glysophate. The mist was kept to a minimum as the weeds only need a fine coating, not saturating. One week later it was sprayed again. Care was taken to ensure that no spray drifted and as little as possible was used.
This double hit ensures that any weeds you miss the first time get hit the second. The net result after about 4 weeks is this. The bottom picture shows that all growth is dead and as glysophate is systemic it goes right into the roots ensuring no regrowth come the spring. Again on a dry day the splot was strimmed to clear it ready for the rotovator.
As you can see the plot, all of it, is ready to plant. All perenial weeds are gone and it will just need hoeing as weeds sprout as they do on any disturbed ground. Paths will be "walked" to define the beds which will strictly be "no walk" beds and therefore will never need to see a rotovator or spray again.
We cultivate three and a half plots and got our first 4 years ago. All have been worked with organic principles in mind since they were cleared and are full of veg friendly wildlife and edible or ornamental plants, not couch, docks or bindweed.
This thread is to show that done properly, you can have a plot cleaned and ready for planting with little effort and environmental impact. Yes it does involve spraying and yes it does involve a rotovator but once done my plots never see a spray again or feel a rotovator. You have to do it properly otherwise you just cause problems for yourself and your plot neighbours.
May I stress, that whilst this method is not for all, it works for me and is a one hit wonder, leaving a full plot ready to plant in weeks.
We took on a half plot last autumn. It was quite overgrown with couch grass, bindweed and dock, three nightmare weeds to clear. This overgrowth was sprayed on a clear sunny day with glysophate. The mist was kept to a minimum as the weeds only need a fine coating, not saturating. One week later it was sprayed again. Care was taken to ensure that no spray drifted and as little as possible was used.
This double hit ensures that any weeds you miss the first time get hit the second. The net result after about 4 weeks is this. The bottom picture shows that all growth is dead and as glysophate is systemic it goes right into the roots ensuring no regrowth come the spring. Again on a dry day the splot was strimmed to clear it ready for the rotovator.
As you can see the plot, all of it, is ready to plant. All perenial weeds are gone and it will just need hoeing as weeds sprout as they do on any disturbed ground. Paths will be "walked" to define the beds which will strictly be "no walk" beds and therefore will never need to see a rotovator or spray again.
We cultivate three and a half plots and got our first 4 years ago. All have been worked with organic principles in mind since they were cleared and are full of veg friendly wildlife and edible or ornamental plants, not couch, docks or bindweed.
jacob
but I didn't really have time to do mine properly last year - lets hope this year will be better.
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