[Chris929]

Hi all,

It's my first year at the allotment after taking it over in a dire state. I managed to get rid of most of the larger weeds (it was covered in 4/5ft weeds at the time) but now, after planting out my veg (Brassicas, garlic, onion, beans, squash, potatoes, corn, carrots) smaller annual weeds have started coming through and are doing so at an alarming rate.
I can't get up there enough to keep on top of them all so I'm wondering how necessary weeding is, if they are not impeding the sunlight to the crop? All I can think of is that the crop will produce but just not as much as if the plot was weed free? An example is on the image, if I could keep the plot looking like what it is towards the left of the image do you think it would have too large an effect on the veg?

I know it's a difficult thing to answer but any help is appreciated.

Cheers

[Pescador]

I would be very happy if I could keep the weeds that low.
I'm sure at that population level they will not do any harm at all.

[lettice]

Weeding is important.
They will use the same water, light and feed on your plot as your growing plants, reducing your veg and fruit growth.
Using a hoe between rows is quick and easy.
The tougher weeds like a thistle, dandelion, nettle or the woody types will need the root pulled up. Use a weed trowel on a long handle for that.
You just have to see weeding as part of the fun of being outside and gardening.
Keep on top of it at least once a week or so and you will soon notice the difference.
From your pic for most of the right side, your not doing too bad.

[Chris929]

I would be very happy if I could keep the weeds that low.
I'm sure at that population level they will not do any harm at all.

Thanks, I mainly ask as my plot neighbours who moved in at the same time keeps theirs much tidier. They can go up multiple times a week and there are two of them which clearly makes such a difference.

[snowdrops]

Yes going multiple times a week & 2 people working effectively will make a lot of difference. The picture you showed is not too bad, as said hoeing once a week will keep them in check. I personally use a swoe that I find is so much better as it cuts on the push & pull. I once read spend the first & last 15 minutes of each visit hoeing! Good luck, looks like you are doing well

[mumofstig]

The trouble is if you leave those small weeds, within a couple of weeks they've grown tall, flowered and seeded themselves, so your plot is always weedy- plus the seeds spread to the nearby plots. Sad but true.
Try to hoe as much as you can, and perhaps next year, you could grow some crops through holes in weed control fabric, so there is less weeding to do?  Leeks, brassicas and sweetcorn do well through weed fabric, as do courgettes, squash and pumpkins.

[jaydig]

It's that time of year when it's a never ending job trying to keep on top of the weeds.  If I have a few minutes spare I spend it going round with the hoe, at least it delays the little blighters growing into big ones.  An allotment isn't the same as a garden, and it's impossible to keep one weed free, but I agree with Lettice, weeds steal nutrients, light and water from your plants, so it is important to do the best you can.

[andreadon]

You can only do your best.
I'm still  clearing and digging mine (a very slow process because I'm on my own and the plot is absolutely full of bindweed)

Now all the weeds are coming through, although I'm there 3-4 mornings a week, they're really taking over. But I spend about an hour going round and pulling what I can. I hoe between the plants that are grown enough for me to tell what the plants are from thar distance, and hand pull any that are too big for the hoe (creeping thistle, buttercup, that one that looks like dishes, bindweed etc).
Yes it's a slow process, but it's not a race, and as long as you're doing your best it'll be fine

[Chris929]

You can only do your best.
I'm still  clearing and digging mine (a very slow process because I'm on my own and the plot is absolutely full of bindweed)

Now all the weeds are coming through, although I'm there 3-4 mornings a week, they're really taking over. But I spend about an hour going round and pulling what I can. I hoe between the plants that are grown enough for me to tell what the plants are from thar distance, and hand pull any that are too big for the hoe (creeping thistle, buttercup, that one that looks like dishes, bindweed etc).
Yes it's a slow process, but it's not a race, and as long as you're doing your best it'll be fine

Very reassuring. Thanks 😀 I decided to sow a lot of plants direct....only to find out that I can't differentiate the seedlings from the weeds! Lesson learnt!

[rachelsco]

if you put a small cane in at either end of the straight row you have sown,  you will see similar looking shoots coming up in a straight line from cane to cane.  i still do this to help me remember whats where.

[Longshanks]

If there's one lesson I have learnt, it's to mark the rows with white stick things and also do the plants. I thought I was nurturing an aubergine in my poly tunnel, but it's turned out to be some sort of weed plant. Doh!. 
I'm thinking of covering some parts of my plot with weed membrane and then bark chippings on top to keep the weeds at bay. It's been successful on one bit where I have done this, but some weeds do grow on the bark.

[Aidy]

Best and quickest device for hoeing is the Swoe, google it. You can clear a bed of those seedling in mins but you have to be a bit careful around the veg, I tend to hoe then anything really close hand pick them out.
Good advise above about 15 mins before and at the end.
There is an old saying ... "one years seed is seven years weed"! remember that as motivation to keep it clear.
Oh and welcome to the real world of allotments! 

[Potterer]

Hi. I would either use bark or membrane but not both. As soon as you put bark or similar on top weeds will start to grown in it. Ive used membrane for at least a year and planted squashes in gaps between membrane. It’s done well with the ordinary weeds but bindweed keeps going!

[sunshineband]

Some crops are more tolerant of growing alongside weeds than others. Potatoes and brassicas don't seem to mind so much, onions absolutely hate sharing their bed, peas and beans will put up with a few, as will tomatoes and beetroot, but will do better without as then all the light, air and nutrients are available for them, not being shared with weeds

A weekly hoe will take out soft weeds very quickly though... there are always weeds seeds waiting to germinate though, but never letting any weeds flower at least means so new weeds seeds are being added to the soil

[snowdrops]

The other thing to remember about hoeing or swoeing regularly is to do it even if you can’t see any weeds, this will cut off or dislodge any that are just germinating under ground. Although if you are only able to visit once a week you will probably find they are visible. Also if you are digging etc this will be bringing up more seeds to the surface to germinate 😉