[kermit16]

Right so here goes.  Brand new allotment holder (half plot) and not a clue about all things gardening but desperate to learn.    Forgive me if this sounds a really stupid question.

My allotment plot has a number of raised beds and the paths between them are all overgrown with weeds.  I have been told to make this my priority.  What is the best way for me to weed bearing in mind the weather/tools etc?  And is it completely taboo to use weedkiller on an allotment plot? Im afraid i do not acquired the etiquette just yet!

Thankyou!

[New shoot]

There are no stupid questions.  Everyone has to learn and we were all new gardeners once 

Whether you use weedkiller is your call Kermit and certainly not taboo.  Some choose not to, but personally I would use a glyphosate based weedkiller on the paths.  There are several to choose from and they kill the top growth and the roots. 

The plants have to be actively growing to absorb it properly and for it to track down to the roots.  It only works if sprayed on the green top growth so won't affect anything you then plant in the raised beds 

Enjoy your new plot 

[Kajazy]

I used glyphosate to clear some of the nastier weeds from my plot, but now I'm covering the paths with weed suppressing membrane and covering that with wood chippings from my local friendly tree surgeon - that's another option

[WendysLot]

Hi Kermit

I got my plot in July last year and am a first timer too!  This site is fabulous and I have got loads of help, fabulous friendly and helpful people here.

I have to sort my paths out soon too.  I have made beds and the paths are currently 'mud with a few small weeds'.  So I am not worried about those small weeds because I plan to cover the path areas with some 'breathable' plastic sheeting I bought and then tramp on some bark chippings.

Happy allotmenting! 

[TerryB]

Cut all the weeds down, quicker with a strimmer if you can get your hands on one.
Then in the spring, when they all start growing again, use Round Up (Glyphosate) weed killer.
It may take a couple of goes with the weed killer.
Then you should be able to keep on top of them with a hoe.
We use wood chippings on our paths also but didn't bother with the weed suppressing membrane.

[savbo]

We use wood chippings on our paths also but didn't bother with the weed suppressing membrane.

I'm with Terry on this, as I think the membrane (it was carpet on our plot when we took it over) means nasties like horsetail can move around the plot undetected - until they pop up in your beds. Chip straight down on soil means they pop up and you can spray/hoe the nasties. Yes it needs replacing every year or two but that's OK with me...

sav

[noshed]

A lot of people on our site use straw out of the manure heap on their paths. That keeps the weeds down quite well.

[Salmo]

Before you go too mad with the weedkiller just check exactly what is in the paths. They may well be a grass and weed mix and have been mown or strimmed in the past.

Pity to needlessly destroy good paths.

[WendysLot]

That's interesting I hadn't thought of the nasty weeds popping up in the beds.  However, I think I would rather just deal with them in the beds than replace the paths every year or too.  Each to their own I guess.

[compostqueen]

I don't chuck weedkiller about. I have an aversion to the stuff and want it right away from my veg.  The edges of the beds though wouldn't hurt to have a careful spray of Roundup once a year. Grass paths are a pain though unless you keep on top of them.  I have some of mine covered in black permeable sheet mulch and have used my own garden clippings (matured in bags behind the shed) as a comfy topping. Great to walk on. Blackbirds rummage about in a bit mind    I hope to get rid of the bulk of the grass paths eventually so I don't have to mow them. They do look nice though 

[TheSpartacat]

I'm with compostqueen on the weedkiller aversion, and think it really depends on what kind of weeds you have, if theres nothing too pernicious then they might be ok if you keep them well trimmed and don't allow anything to set seed.

Agree on grass paths being a pain to keep on top of- sometimes it seems my paths grow faster than whats in the beds, but i keep reminding myself that they're a great source for mulch materials and compost, and kinder on the knees than chippings.