Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Safe, organic weed killer, is there such a thing?

Collapse

X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Safe, organic weed killer, is there such a thing?

    Really struggling to get my new half plot under control, Previous owners rotavated the weeds so have so much couch grass, dandelions and docks, they seem to be laughing at me!!
    Allotment have said they will spray it for me but it isn't something I would wish to use, worried about spread onto my plot next door, also the critters living in the plants etc..
    Is the only option to keep pulling out, digging up?
    Thanks in anticipation guys
    When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant. ~Author Unknown

  • #2
    Using a bed system with hoeing and pulling works for me.

    The first year is always the worst.

    Comment


    • #3
      Just got in from the plot. We've got the same problem. The best long term option is the hard way. Get into it and dig it out !!

      We've got about 6' of 70' left to dig and clear. We tried the spray method and all it did was kill the surface weeds. The roots still sprouted back up as soon as the weather got warmer.

      We went back to the hard way. We did the same last year on the other 1/2 of the plot and there's only a few surface weeds in that now .

      If you do it right the first time you shouldn't need to to it again.
      "When we drink, we get drunk. When we get drunk, we fall asleep. When we fall asleep, we commit no sin. When we commit no sin, we go to heaven.
      So, let's all get drunk and go to heaven!" Brian O'Rourke

      Comment


      • #4
        Cheers guys for your advice I thought that was going to be the answer but my back was hoping there was a miracle cure! Cleared my other half plot by hand over last two years and you are right, I do not have any weeds in the raised beds at all.
        Back to the plot tomorrow morning then to start on another bed.
        'It isn't easy being green'
        When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant. ~Author Unknown

        Comment


        • #5
          Can't you cover some over to kill them off (or at least weaken them) until you can get round to them?
          To see a world in a grain of sand
          And a heaven in a wild flower

          Comment


          • #6
            Hand weeding is what gardening is all about and is quite theraputic for me!
            The only organic weedkiller is boiling water but you'd need a big kettle to do an allotment!

            PS Just realised that burning with a 'sheen' type gun is organic also!
            Last edited by Snadger; 22-05-2010, 08:39 PM.
            My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
            to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)

            Diversify & prosper


            Comment


            • #7
              im covering my new plot with cardboard and manure on top
              my plot march 2013http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvzqRS0_hbQ

              hindsight is a wonderful thing but foresight is a whole lot better

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by smallblueplanet View Post
                Can't you cover some over to kill them off (or at least weaken them) until you can get round to them?
                Originally posted by hawthorns View Post
                im covering my new plot with cardboard and manure on top
                If you can set some of your plot aside, the cover-over method works like a dream I find, and once it's covered it's only a matter of waiting while the weeds die off - and if you make sure not to walk/stand on it you'll have lovely soft ground there for the next season. Meanwhile, you would have a chance to get some beds ready on the rest of the plot.

                Some people put down weedblock or black plastic, make slits and plant through these holes. I haven't done this myself, but I've seen others do it and they were always pleased with this method.
                My hopes are not always realized but I always hope (Ovid)

                www.fransverse.blogspot.com

                www.franscription.blogspot.com

                Comment


                • #9
                  Like the others have said, the first few years are the worst but once you have things under control it's quite easy to stay on top of it. My biggest problem is buttercups. they weren't there when I started but every year the little blighters pop up and start creeping around.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Umm...not an allotment holder here, and perhaps a radical idea: can you controlled-burn a patch?
                    Current Executive Board Members at Ollietopia Inc:
                    Snadger - Director of Poetry
                    RedThorn - Chief Interrobang Officer
                    Pumpkin Becki - Head of Dremel Multi-Tool Sales & Marketing and Management Support
                    Jeanied - Olliecentric Eulogy Minister
                    piskieinboots - Ambassador of 2-word Media Reviews

                    WikiGardener a subsidiary of Ollietopia Inc.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by OllieMartin View Post
                      can you controlled-burn a patch?
                      That won't kill the roots though, which are the main problem
                      All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        what we did was cover the lot with black plastic (available from builders merchant and the like )and slowly pulled it back as we dug, it didnt conpletely kill all the weeds but it killed some and weakened the others.
                        may be an option for you
                        The longest journey always started with a single step

                        Comment

                        Latest Topics

                        Collapse

                        Recent Blog Posts

                        Collapse
                        Working...
                        X