oh dear

greenstan77 · « **on:** January 25, 2009, 01:31 »

hello everyone,

Im a new and eager to learn off you knowledgable people.
I have been allowed a small plot on a farmers field, im hopefully goin to pay in veg for it. ive dug three 5ftx 10ft plots, one left

when i was diggin the plots which had weeds and grass growing on them i read somewhere that obviously remove weeds and roots but also dig a trench turn the grass from next trench into first trench then cover with soil and repeat. ive got a bad feeling after looking at some threads that i mite have been couch grass!. am i in trouble this year. its my first year.
any advice greatly recieved.

Val H · « **Reply #1 on:** January 25, 2009, 01:45 »

If it's couch grass try planting the troubled area with turnip seed. The two will not mix and the couch will wither back and die.

richyrich7 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 25, 2009, 08:40 »

Hi greenstan77 and welcome to the forums

I like Vals tip one I may try myself this year too, apart from that just keep hoeing it as soon as you see it, all weeds will die eventually with that kind of treatment, as your hoeing and digging remove any roots that you come across.
Don't compost the roots unless you drown them or let them wither in the sun for a good few days 1st.

Salmo · « **Reply #3 on:** January 25, 2009, 09:16 »

Has anyone actually tried the turnip thing or is it a garden myth?

birmancats · « **Reply #4 on:** January 25, 2009, 10:00 »

Hi Salmo. I going to try it this year as the couch spreads in from one side of the allotment. Will keep you posted.

agapanthus · « **Reply #5 on:** January 25, 2009, 10:24 »

Quote from: "Salmo"

Has anyone actually tried the turnip thing or is it a garden myth?

I've tried it and it's true!!!

DD. · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2009, 10:30 »

Baldrick did have something going for him, after all!

greenstan77 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2009, 12:08 »

thanks all,

I was thinking it was all goin to be over b4 it started, what if ive dug all three plots over like that though i cant have three plots full of turnip ill be ill from eatin it, waste not want not

Salmo · « **Reply #8 on:** January 25, 2009, 12:59 »

You have the right idea cleaning it before you get crops in. Growing potatoes and forking out the couch when you lift them is a good way. Maybe plant the worst area turnips, plant some potatoes and the rest you can crop normally but be diligant with your hoe.

Salmo · « **Reply #9 on:** January 25, 2009, 13:45 »

Agapanthus please tell us of your way with turnips. Did you grow a crop or did you sow thickly as a green manure.

Aidy · « **Reply #10 on:** January 25, 2009, 16:47 »

In a good few books and tinternet sites I read that toms do the same as turnip. I think the couch laughed its head off and it made no difference but I have never tried turnip.

woodburner · « **Reply #11 on:** January 25, 2009, 19:32 »

Welcome to the forums.

There's a similar topic discussing the merits of parsnips for the same purpose, here

SnooziSuzi · « **Reply #12 on:** January 25, 2009, 19:56 »

Quote from: "agapanthus"

Quote from: "Salmo"
Has anyone actually tried the turnip thing or is it a garden myth?

I've tried it and it's true!!!

I read a similar thing in a book today that couch doesn't like pot marigolds either so these would work too, but you don't get a crop at the end of it :roll:

oh dear Started by mat whitlock on Grow Your Own	5 Replies 2055 Views	May 07, 2016, 19:55 by mat whitlock
Sweetcorn - oh dear! Started by Elcie on Grow Your Own	38 Replies 9883 Views	April 27, 2009, 13:43 by paintedlady
Oh dear... courgettes Started by Casey76 on Grow Your Own	57 Replies 11157 Views	February 25, 2011, 17:49 by hamstergbert
Berlotti Beans - oh dear Started by Oliveview on Grow Your Own	9 Replies 5253 Views	May 27, 2008, 09:34 by Aidy