[sarajane]

I can vouch for the cardboard.  4 years ago planted raspberries in some 'couchy' ground, surrounded with thick cardboard and then covered with bark chippings (we have a woodsman who drops off wagonloads on our allotments).  I've not seen any couch grass since and the raspberries have bulked out  very well.  Think the cardboard must have rotted by now as raspberries are springing up everywhere  -  now theres another job for me to do, thin them out

[TerryB]

Hi Nicki85
Squash, Pumpkins etc are best planted on a mound so you water the soil but not the area by the stem, as they tend to rot. Doesn't stop you using this method but just lift the plants above ground level so water run away from it.

[kippers garden]

Last year i took over another plot and the top end was covered in couch grass.  i strimmed it and then put down the cheap weed suppressant and planted my squash thru it.  I did put manure in each hole and then put the plants on top and i had some wonderful butternut squashes, pumpkins etc and in one season it killed the couch grass.

I got a 100 meter roll of ebay for approx £30 and it was worth every penny!  The weed suppressant didn't last any longer than one season as it ripped when you tried to pull it up...but it did it's job.