[backache]

Hi All.
we have just managed to get a plot after many years but it has couch grass on it,
 we are thinking the best way to clear it is to use roundup on it in the spring.
 but that would delay our planting. we can borrow a rotorvator but that would only spread the problem.  we might dig half so we could plant and spray the rest, just very keen to get started but dont want to make extra work for ourselves.
would be grateful for any advice

[Steve.B]

I would dig an area when you can and take out all the roots, don't use the rotavator.

[DD.]

You won't want it all to plant at the same time.

Fork a patch out for your earlier stuff, (onions, spuds etc.). Spray the rest, (beans, sweetcorn, brassicas, courgettes etc.).

[backache]

yes i think that would be a good idea .
we were thinking of putting a barrier around the plot to stop anymore getting onto the plot, have got some 12" dampcourse to dig in to stop the roots, then concentrate on getting the rest out over a few years i would imagine.

[gillie]

Getting rid of couch grass is not that bad.

When we first took on an allotment, many years ago, in our innocence we rotovated it.

Couch grass came up everywhere, but as the soil had been broken up it was easy, and rather satisfying, to fork it out.  Couch grass sprouts very early in the season so most of the forking out can be done before you want to sow anything.

Cheers,

Gillie

[Salmo]

If you apply Roundup you only have to wait 10 days before you cultivate and plant. By then, even though there may not be many signs of the couch dying, the Roundup will have penetrated to the tips of the roots and it will die. I would still dig it out as there are bound to be a few bits that want to resprout, but at least there will not be the urgency to get it all done. 

You will only kill those couch roots with green leaf. Couch roots that are undisturbed often remain dormant with no leaf. Those roots without leaf, or only a small amount, will not take in chemical and will remain alive and ready to invade.

One approach would be to cultivate now, with either fork or rotovator, to stimulate couch growth and then apply Roundup when there is 4 to 6 inches of leaf. By doing that your ground would be cultivated and ready to plant 10 days after spraying.

Be warned, if you rotovate but do not follow up with Roundup, or you do not apply the Roundup properly, you will be in a mess doing this.

[peanut]

We got our plot last Feb and it was covered in couch.  We dug over small sections that we knew we could manage and went through it thoroughly by hand removing the roots.

We then found that although some came through, it was easy to keep on top of. Now to tackle the Mare's Tail

[bigben]

You have already had lots of good advice about sorting the problem long term - you could also consider planting thru weed control fabric for some crops. Hack an area down to the ground, cover with heavy duty fabric or lots of cardboard and plant thru it. This might allow you to make use of an area you have not yet cleared of couch grass and let you get a crop even though it might take till next season to really clear it properly. Spuds, onions, sweetcorn, squash are a few ideas of what could be attempted as a quick fix to "grab a bit more or your ground". Eventually you will need to sort it long term, but it might allow you another crop or two until you can do the job right!