[Russell Atterbury]

I have made the decision to take an adjoining half plot on our local allotment. It's in general good shape, not long uncultivated. But it has quite a covering of the said Fat Hen. Not requiring any of this plot for next seasons growing, I thought I would pitch my idea to y'all about scything down the 18 inch or so plants and covering it with a very large plastic tarpaulin that I have.  It could be left this way for a long time. So the important question is: would this be a good way of getting rid of the stuff, and maybe adding nutrients to the soil at the same time.....like green manure.

[snowdrops]

I’d think that was fine if it’s not seeding. I’d add some overlapping layers of brown cardboard if you can get it too, the worms seem to love it. By the way are you really in Russia? Don’t know why I thought they wouldn’t have allotments 

[Christine]

If the fat hen has had a long period to seed you'll be getting it back in places you don't expect for a year or two. I had a fine crop in the allotment hedges and it did my hands no good getting it all out.

[Russell Atterbury]

It's a toss up between the back breaking job of hand pulling them and risking the idea I pitched before. I am now leaning toward pulling because they sure are in some stage of seeding and maybe it would prove a big mistake to do otherwise. Thanks for the replies, you folks always help in decision making for me.

[snowdrops]

Certainly in that case I’d cover with a good few overlapping layers of brown cardboard to stop any light getting through, then if you can add as much well rotted mulch as you can muster, then either plant into it ,if you do this water the cardboard really well first. If you do cover use a membrane that lets water through, then it will be ready when you are.

[jezza]

Hello isnt fat hen the same family as Quinoa that's used as a gluten free flour ,dont know whether that seed is edible if it is take the seed off  then cut the stems down  and cover with sheeting and card board,   jezza

[rhysdad]

Eat it!

https://totallywilduk.co.uk/2021/12/02/fat-hen-chenopodium-album-identification/

[Russell Atterbury]

I have been reading about different uses for fat hen, from leaves to the seed. So as an experiment I might just have a go at an Indian style bhaji using leaves in the way I'd normally prepare spinach or chard. It does seem like an injustice to the stuff, not try it out.