Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: peter and jean on June 09, 2018, 14:58
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So our new plot is overgrown with lovely ground elder. I am in the process of meticulously digging every bit of the plot to try and get to all the roots. I have since read that spraying with glyphosphate is the way to go. I quite enjoy the mind numbing and laborious task of taking and digging but is spraying going to get the job done more effectively?.
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I would dig every time. Cleared 5 plots over the decades and varioues states from "what am I doing" to (I must be (something) mad.
Having said that we have soft sandy soil here so it is easier to dg.
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I would dig every time. Cleared 5 plots over the decades and varioues states from "what am I doing" to (I must be (something) mad.
Having said that we have soft sandy soil here so it is easier to dg.
cheers for that. As well as the ground elder we're on lovely compacted clay. Still it could be worse.😁
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I had ground elder in the garden and would thoroughly recommend spraying it all with glyphosate to make sure it is all dead, and then dig. I sprayed it and left for a fortnight to see what regrew and then sprayed that again; meanwhile I started digging where the weeds were completely dead.
It worked well here :)
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Another option is to strim and cover. I realise that it is going to be impossible to get rid completely as I would be digging my neighbours plots too! Some of the roots I have pulled so far have been very impressive. I clearly have taken on a very fertile plot so my veg yields will no doubt be huge😂😂
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I'm digging over a new plot at moment, 6 rods of every weed imaginable. I've had everything from horsetail, dandelion and hogweed to buttercup, groundvetch and couch grass. Just spent the afternoon plucking out bindweed root from upturned turfy stuff...
There is probably an organic weedkiller that will make it easy but digging over every inch of the plot is giving me knowledge of my soil and what weeds are deep rooted in where. I discovered a clay belt running through my plot which rotovating/weedkilling would not have highlighted. I say dig, and become one with your earth!
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I say dig, and become one with your earth!
Great idea - as long as your back agrees with you ::) :D
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I say dig, and become one with your earth!
Great idea - as long as your back agrees with you ::) :D
Very therapeutic approach, I'm doing the same on my new plot at present. Managed to squeeze some plants in that I'd over estimated on.
As it is the season of leather and willow, then a small portable to keep you company. Pace your self , dig for six balls then stop, and if a wicket falls - enjoy the break!!
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Spray the ground and dig properly!
What's the point of research and development by companies, who wish to make a business out of an easier life for the community by knocking off evil weeds and labour-intrusive practices, if some other reasearch says it's another problem!
Who knows, but I definitely will use my Roundup to get rid of the stuff that stops me - at nearly 71, doing what I like best, which is gardening in a non-weed-infested plot. I'll hoe and do the work as necessary, but the awkward stuff gets zapped!
I didn't pay taxes all my life to have my ideals moaned about, and I'm no receiver of false info from 'environmentalists' or their equivalent.
There's nothing wrong with using weedkiller. The business of growing vegetables safely is what we all want, and I'm not going to cut down trees to make raised beds or piddle around with ways to enjoy my garden to provide me and my wife with our daily requirements, as and when we want them. If people disagree, then go to Tesco.
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This is a great topic and I've enjoyed reading everyone's approaches to ground elder.
I think I'd take advantage of the new plot status and use glyphosate.
In the past I have resisted chemicals in a mature garden because I was nervous about collateral damage ie killing something I meant to keep. The digging approach never really got rid of this triffid. :(
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Very interesting that no one has mentioned a flame gun (or did I miss it ?)
My neighbours on the plot have taken over the other half to their half plot which hasn't been touched since it was rented 6 months ago. They took theirs on at the same time and although new to growing veg are very keen. They have been advised to burn it off (Mmm wouldn't it scorch the wood of the raised beds ??) then either to cover or dig. I did say if it was me I would dig and mentioned that if they chose weedkiller please choose a still day because I'v suffered someone let loose with stuff next door before.
We all want them to do well so will be watching for any further comments
marg
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I have had success with my gas flame gun, just need to be a bit careful and not try to torch the weeds to the ground. Only make them wilt and with any luck problem solved. I also have the hose very handy just in case.
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From experience, the flame gun only kills the top growth, so it will kill annuals but perennials with deep roots will grow back again.
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I have had success with my gas flame gun, just need to be a bit careful and not try to torch the weeds to the ground. Only make them wilt and with any luck problem solved. I also have the hose very handy just in case.
didn't know that as I'v never used one. Back in 2001 when we took on our plot it was all burnt to the ground and was a big shock to find all the roots and weeds growing !! We got over it as I'm still there.
Next door have already cut weeds down as they were up it 5' tall. Hope they don't burn or spray while this wind is around
marg
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Its roundup for me you can't beat it unless you really what the chore of digging and digging and digging hopefully with a good back and plenty of time I had a real problem with bind weed and twich all completely gone thanks to using roundup
i'm over seventy and like to make life easy weed free if possible just a few weed to hoe i can live with that but of cause if you prefer to dig and fork your bind weed good luck to you
round up i did it my way :lol: :lol: :lol:
PS
i must say you have a way with words Growster :D
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So our new plot is overgrown with lovely ground elder. I am in the process of meticulously digging every bit of the plot to try and get to all the roots. I have since read that spraying with glyphosphate is the way to go. I quite enjoy the mind numbing and laborious task of taking and digging but is spraying going to get the job done more effectively?.
It will do it more effectively and quicker for 6 months, but next year they'll be back as high as an elephant if the plot isn't regularly tended to. There are many many things to read online, and all tastes are catered for. I myself, stick to the dig thing as the chemical free thing is important to me. Timing of the digging is the important thing and advice about that should be heeded. Other plot neighbours see it differently.
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So our new plot is overgrown with lovely ground elder. I am in the process of meticulously digging every bit of the plot to try and get to all the roots. I have since read that spraying with glyphosphate is the way to go. I quite enjoy the mind numbing and laborious task of taking and digging but is spraying going to get the job done more effectively?.
It will do it more effectively and quicker for 6 months, but next year they'll be back as high as an elephant if the plot isn't regularly tended to. There are many many things to read online, and all tastes are catered for. I myself, stick to the dig thing as the chemical free thing is important to me. Timing of the digging is the important thing and advice about that should be heeded. Other plot neighbours see it differently.
With you there VP. We aren't plagued with ground elder but when we got our plot we were hosts to horsetail central. Some neighbours used kurtail several times but it always came back. I grew through it but over time we put all the soil through a giant freestanding sieve OH made. The effort was large, but we have pretty much eradicated it now and we have avoided using chemicals.
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My allotment neighbours have decided to dig not spray or burn, not such a huge job as it is already set out as raised beds with quite wide paths.
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Really just dig a bit at the time, ho (weed with the iron thing) as soon as you see a little green top: this way you wil exhaust the root and keep your plot clean.
We have a lot of horsetail, the stubborn grass and the windy thing with the white flowers. Our plot is clean where it needs to be and the rest is under construction: we filter and then keep it clean with ... haha google has no word for it. Our soil is heavy sticky clay.
Our neighbor gardner has been doing it this way for years and has hardly any weeds at all.
It might be easier now to spray, but in the long run, it isn't the way to go.
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This is always a hard one isn’t it. It depends on what weeds,how fit & healthy you are, how many of you there are,how much time you have,how you feel about organic, personally I have sprayed in the past, but I don’t now & wont be doing again. I now realise that I value my soil so much more, but then I’ve stopped digging for that reason. I’ve just visited Charles Dowding’s no dig garden Homeacres& it was a true inspiration.
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Time - space - energy - age - knowledge - organic 'requirements' - family - money for tools - research - like life...
Decision time, eh?
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Just in case my earlier comment sounded preachy, I just wanted to make clear that I have no problem with weedkiller use - it's just not for me. We all do this for different reasons, mine is that I love growing my own veg organically, I'm not for a minute suggesting everyone boycotts weedkiller, just putting across that chemical-free is better in my opinion.
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How about no dig and no spray?
Cover it all with cardboard and then put a good covering of compost on top and leave to plant later (maybe next year). Weeds will be smothered and cardboard will rot so you can plant through the compost without any digging.
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How about no dig and no spray?
Cover it all with cardboard and then put a good covering of compost on top and leave to plant later (maybe next year). Weeds will be smothered and cardboard will rot so you can plant through the compost without any digging.
As I always say, great idea if you have, or can afford to buy, that much compost ;)
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Spray leave for 2 weeks spray again then cover in black plastic till ready to use or dig over
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I always feel guilty about covering the growing area with manure and compost for the winter, letting the woms get in and do their valuable stuff, and the first thing you do to thank them in the spring, is to chop them all up!
You can't win really, especially if you happen to be a worm...
I think I know what I'd rather not be..;0)
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I always feel guilty about covering the growing area with manure and compost for the winter, letting the woms get in and do their valuable stuff, and the first thing you do to thank them in the spring, is to chop them all up!
You can't win really, especially if you happen to be a worm...
I think I know what I'd rather not be..;0)
You know you can if you don’t dig, look up no dig & read the info, I’ve known about this approach for years & years but not really taken it on board. I took another look over the winter(I never winter dig) & it all made perfect sense to me. You’re protecting all the soil life down to the smallest of life,think mycorrhizal fungi. I’ve changeD to this approach this year & really want to sing it from the roof tops. It’s not lazy, you should see how much free we’ll rotted manure I’ve shifted.
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Interesting Snows.
The Director of Trees (or something) at Bedgebury Pinetum gave us a masterclass on this, and they even had signs up around the forest asking people not to damage the fungi or kick them around.
Bit like 'athlete's garden' I suppose..;0)
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I always feel guilty about covering the growing area with manure and compost for the winter, letting the woms get in and do their valuable stuff, and the first thing you do to thank them in the spring, is to chop them all up!
You can't win really, especially if you happen to be a worm...
I think I know what I'd rather not be..;0)
You know you can if you don’t dig, look up no dig & read the info, I’ve known about this approach for years & years but not really taken it on board. I took another look over the winter(I never winter dig) & it all made perfect sense to me. You’re protecting all the soil life down to the smallest of life,think mycorrhizal fungi. I’ve changeD to this approach this year & really want to sing it from the roof tops. It’s not lazy, you should see how much free we’ll rotted manure I’ve shifted.
I also have looked at 'no dig' for a few years and decided to give it a try this year on a section of my plot. Getting good results with onions, beets and cabbage all growing healthy and strong. Makes life much easier, just plant into and through the compost. Any weeds that come up are much easier to pull out, moisture is retained in soil and 'NO DIGGING'! Yes there is the issue of getting enough compost, but I'm working on that for the coming autumn / winter, so I can convert all the plot to 'no dig'. Not sure how that will work with potatoes, so anyone with experience on those would be interesting.
I have a heavy clay soil and even adding lots of organic matter and green manures over a few years did not help that much, as when you dig over the ground you bring all the clay soil back up. With 'no dig' the soil is so much better to work with.