losing the plot!

[Two_Sheds]

Just a quick tip, get all the staples, labels and tape off before you put it down.

Where's the fun in that? I just love digging through my compost and pulling out reams of cellophane Those little windows in envelopes too

I made four raised beds last year, and filled them using a similar method.

I went up today and added another four layers (leaves, grass, newspaper, weeds). It's addictive. It can't really be this easy can it?

[Liza]

[QUOTE=Two_Sheds;751799]Where's the fun in that? I just love digging through my compost and pulling out reams of cellophane Those little windows in envelopes too

[plotman]

Pull them out and fit cardboard in round them [or dig them all out, separate the weed from strawbs, cover with cardboard and replant through holes in the card.

You'll never have no weeds, but you need to think strategically about blocking their light so that they don't grow.

I personally don't use weedkiller - I regularly get in there and pull out weeds after a good rain session, and hoe when they are little. The first year is always the worst - so cover what you aren't using and plant through it if you can once you are ready to plant up.

Im sure this will raise a few eyebrows but..... I took on a full size allotment 7 yrs ago. Three foot high couch grass etc completely covered the plot. Absolutely no sign of soil or wotever. I strimmed and burnt the grass, I then applied commercial roundup/ That killed everything and including couuch grass roots that can penetrate ove 2 ft deep. Roundup breaks down in the soil very quickly. In 7 yrs ive never had a problem with weeds. Ive never used any chemicals for weeds or pests. Apart fromlight annual weeds that are easily controlled i have a clear well cropped plot which is totally chemical free. No ugly carpets, cardboard or any other unsitely covering which sours the soil and kills the good bugs in the soil. Like grandma use to say, Everything in moderation. Be interesting to hear views

[binley100]

Just as a tidy desk is a sign of someone with not enough work to do (my ex gaffer) so a tidy plot is a sign of someone needing a bigger allotment!

I'm liking this quote Snadge........I may pinch it

[Two_Sheds]

Three foot high couch grass etc completely covered the plot.

You sure it was couch? Couch is a prostrate grass, not tall, and the roots rarely go deeper than 6" ... it's shallow, but long-rooted.

In 7 yrs ive never had a problem with weeds.

That's quite miraculous, and you are very fortunate not to have neighbours whose weeds encroach and seed onto your plot

No ugly carpets, cardboard ...which sours the soil and kills the good bugs in the soil.

Cardboard actually improves the soil, it doesn't kill any bugs

[gojiberry]

I use whatever I can for mulches and there is no doubt that they work and keep the weeds down to a manageable level. I like to use leafmould but never have enough so am selective of where it goes. My second choice tends to be grass clipping which I can get plenty of and then it is down to cardboard to black landscape fabric.

Ian

[geoff]

I'm with the others on mulching. Put down cardboard and newspaper; I also used thick paper sacks from work that were used to deliver sugar and flour, but make sure they don't have a plastic lining
Then I topped it with vast amounts of manure, a local stables was glad to get rid of it. Don't worry if it's not well rotted, anything's better than nothing, and it will be OK by the spring
You could also use Roundup carefully on any stubborn patches