[Angelah]

OK, we've had carpet/black plastic covering a small part of the plot for the last year, so am now undertaking the laborious task of clearing all the couch grass roots by hand and digging the beds over to start planting soon.

But more than half the plot is still overrun with weeds. The council have cleared all the brambles, which are now beginning to sprout new growth. There are also goodness only know what other weeds and more couch grass, so this year I am going to use glyphosate on the uncultivated area to get it into use sooner rather than later. The thing is, once the weeds have died off do I need to clear them from the ground?

I'm thinking of then covering some with membrane and planting squash for example through it - digging out a small area and adding loads of compost first, but most won't get dug over this season methinks. No idea whether this will work though!

[noshed]

When I did my big weeds I found they died off into a thatch which you could just gather up and the soil was diggable. Some I had to treat twice but it was quite effective. Even knocked the japanese knotweed back after a few goes.

[ParsnipPete]

Horrible stuff. I wouldn't use it. The most effective way to clear ground without chemicals is pigs. If pigs are impractical, try a flame thrower. Flame throwers can sometimes be found at car boot sales or can be hired from a tool hire shop. They usually run on paraffin or gas. When I was a boy, me and my dad cleared a very large plot with one, in a day. The burnt bits can be easily raked up or dug in.

[compostqueen]

Do it a bit at a time and keep the rest covered up   Glyphos is ok (if you don't mind chemicals) if you need to clear all the lot at once but really who does?  Unless you're running a veg business that is  

If you cleared the whole lot say in one day and were faced with a cleared plot you'd still have to cover it up with some sheeting or something to prevent the weeds re-sprouting  :? You couldn't plant it all up in  one fell swoop

Don't feel pressured into trying to be superhuman and clear it in a day. After all it's probably taken years to get that weedy

[Bombers]

Totally agree... How do you eat an Elephant? - A little bit at a time!  
Devide the plot into 8-10 manageable chunks. And take your time. Enjoy!

[Aidy]

If ethics dont come into it, use it as it is very effective. Round up etc must be used when the plant is converting food, the idea is it asorbed into the roots and fools the plant into thinking its food but actually starves it. IMO spring is not the best time to spray, late summer autumn is the best.

[compostqueen]

bit windy at the moment - you could kill all the green for miles