Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Growing in Greenhouses & Polytunnels => Topic started by: Kleftiwallah on October 03, 2019, 13:23

Title: Raised borders.
Post by: Kleftiwallah on October 03, 2019, 13:23

I've just spent an enjoyable hour digging over the beds in the greenhouse.  Do I leave them open or cover with black plastic to retain moisture and discourage weed growth?

Cheers,  Tony.

Title: Re: Raised borders.
Post by: mumofstig on October 03, 2019, 15:46

Sometimes I do - sometimes I don't. Not really much difference either way tbh, as not many weeds grow in winter anyway..

Title: Re: Raised borders.
Post by: Kleftiwallah on October 03, 2019, 16:21

I'll cover...

Cheers,  Tony.

Title: Re: Raised borders.
Post by: Plot94 on October 03, 2019, 17:03

I usually cover beds that I wont be growing in with grass clippings, that way any weeds that do grow tend to be very shallow rooted and come out when you rake up the clippings (even bindweed)  :D

Title: Re: Raised borders.
Post by: RichardA on October 03, 2019, 18:41

rightly or wrongly I tend to keep borders in greenhouse and polytunnels uncovered but I wet down slightly occasionally. That lets any weeds grow and then get dealt with and I find if a bed really dries out then often very difficult to rehydrate it when needed. I also dig over and dig in well rotted manure sometimes twice a season to get fertility built up especially as all my tunnels and houses have been moved recently because we built house on previous locations.
R

Title: Re: Raised borders.
Post by: Kleftiwallah on October 04, 2019, 11:36

Thanks for those (slightly) conflicting philosophies.  I've just covered them over and boy did it do my back in!  I'll definitely dump hopefully the last grass clippings of the year under the plastic.

Cheers,  Tony.