[jacnal]

Mine has just rotted into the soil now.  
As my link upthread shows I laid cardboard, and covered it with compost.  I'm not digging this year but planting straight into the compost again.  One of the beds (with spuds) was also mulched with old hay.   Worked just great.

However if leaving card down it's important to remove all the tape, staples etc as they don't rot.

I've been thinking of doing this as it really is futive trying to clear up and digging at the moment- even with a flaskful of hot tea and another flask full of hot water to dip my freezing hands into, and a fire which went off within the first 20 minutes thanks to Mr Jac and my SS, I struggled this last weekend as I tried to dig . So, I planted my stuff (onions and garlic) in pots but there are plenty more, sigh. I'm running out of pots for spring planting, sigh.

I'm just worried the amount of compost I'd need though - My bins aren't yielding yet and I suspect I'd have to buy a ton of compost - maybe more :cry: . Is it worth the expense or is it a crazy idea to even ponder? I have plenty of cardboard.

[Salkeela]

Hi jacnal

You're right that it does require ALOT of compost.  I was lucky in that we had been keeping a horse in over the winter for a few years and the pile was large and well matured.  

It probably would be worth buying in compost ( council presumably could supply) to do this.  I laid it about 10 - 15cm deep (4-6") so you would need quite a bit.

Certainly having started beds before using the digging method, and then using this method, I know which I prefer!  

One or two weeds do make it through, but believe me they have used so much energy getting up through all that stuff that they are easy to pull out.  (I stick some fresh card under the compost above the remains of  the root & that does 'em.)

Best wishes with your plot.