[Chris929]

Hi

I have weeded half (half 1) of the allotment and now thinking of covering the other half (half 2) and planting through the cover as a no dig section. I'm thinking of putting cardboard under tarpaulin as the cover.

I'm wondering whether it would be a good idea or not to place the weeds obtained from half 1 under the cardboard for some sort of mulch that would hopefully not grow due to no light and then breakdown to provide nutrition?

Any review on this system?

If it did work it would be an easy use for the weeds mass I gathered ready for the dump site.

[snowdrops]

Hi there, in strict no dig terms it isn’t recommended as it will encourage slugs, only composted mulches are recommended. Build yourself a compost bin & chuck them in there, strip the other half of the plot if you can & rake it off & add to the compost bin. Start looking fir well rotted manure to add ontop of the cardboard, you don’t really need the tarpaulin then unless you happen to have 1. Although it does stop weedseeds blowing into that area.

[mumofstig]

Best place for the weeds is a compost heap, although covering the unworked part is a good idea, until you get round to clearing it.
It's difficult to grow anything through tarpaulin as no rain gets through to water the plants. I've used cardboard under weed control fabric and planted squash/pumpkins through holes in it though.  (weed control fabric does let water through) This will kill some weeds, but things like bindweed or couchgrass, will still have long roots that will have to be dug out.
You will have to use a few slug pellets around anything you do plant through it, though I find I need to use these whether the soil is covered or not