[Growster...]

Seriously Pete, you'll probably have to dig them out at some stage, so just aim to get it done by - say Mid Feb.

That way, you're no longer under pressure, and in any case, you'll have everything nice and clear for when the real work starts...;0)

[Puenktchen]

Heavy duty sheet mulch is porous and will keep weeds at bay and keep the soil underneath in good condition. I find it's a real help when clearing weedy areas or for giving you breathing space while you tackle another bit.  It's expensive but if looked after will last a lifetime

Nettles are a fact of life on allotments and it shows that your soil is fertile. They are good compost activators and the tops are edible.  Leave some growing in the plot margins as they provide egg laying sites for cabbage whites. Rather there than on your brassicas

I have never heard that Cabbage White caterpillars eat nettles and I have never seen Cabbage White caterpillars in nettles, caterpillars of Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock yes but not Cabbage white.

But I have a small patch of nettles next to my compost to make nettle fertiliser.

[eeedowls]

I think the existence of nettles indicates an acid soil too? IIRC that is...

[compostqueen]

Did I say they ate them?     Whatever butterflies they are they lay eggs on nettles
Grief! 

I like nettles round my plot margins and my compo bins. They also make a good tart!   

 

[sunshineband]

Small tortoiseshell and peacock butterfly cterpillars are the commonest on nettles.

Cabbage whites eat.... cabbage!!!!!

Never had nettle tart CQ -- is it like spinach tart?

[aelf]

The back of my plot is thick with nettle roots to the point where there was hardly any soil, just roots! About 5 years ago I started to clear them and after an hour's digging, I had removed nettle roots from an area 3' x 3' and lowered the ground level by about 8"! Bloomin hard work to boot, so I had a think about it and decided the best thing was to cover the whole patch with an old tarpaulin and use it for other things.

It now houses my cold frames and my pots of flowering plants (till they are ready for the back garden). I have also built a couple of raised beds on it for soft fruits (mostly rasberries).  

[bazh]

At the end of the day Pete if you need the ground you'll have to dig them out to make it available.

[vegypete]

hi ya thanks guys and girls, for your tips and advice, yes i do need the ground so its got to be dealt with one way or other,  :happy:...............pete

[compostqueen]

Nettles are good in beer too. My mother used to make a beer with nettles and dandelions, using Masons extract from a brewery in Nottingham I think.  It was deliciously lemony and refreshing.  She made it in the copper 

I've had nettle and potato soup which was a Champneys recipe, very nice too.  The tart is a Hugh Fearnley job.  Spinachey I'd say 

[Madame Cholet]

jerusalum atricokes are a good anywhere plant too one you have cleared the land. i planted some in the shade in front of my wood shed stoney lay patch the broke the soil up well.

[Yorkie]

Except you'll never get rid of the artichokes!

[gavinjconway]

or the hangover from the Beer

[sunshineband]

Nettles are good in beer too. My mother used to make a beer with nettles and dandelions, using Masons extract from a brewery in Nottingham I think.  It was deliciously lemony and refreshing.  She made it in the copper 

I've had nettle and potato soup which was a Champneys recipe, very nice too.  The tart is a Hugh Fearnley job.  Spinachey I'd say 

I can vouch for the nettle and potato soup as a child hood favourite that I sometimes resusitate (sp?) - delicious 

Love the sound of the beer too

[GreenOwl]

Gotta mention cardboard.  Cardboard is a fantastic weed suppressant.  It works and then it rots down and gives you compost on top .  Plus its water permeable.  

Its cheap too...mind you the parcel tape doesn't rot down....

[sunshineband]

Gotta mention cardboard.  Cardboard is a fantastic weed suppressant.  It works and then it rots down and gives you compost on top .  Plus its water permeable.  

Its cheap too...mind you the parcel tape doesn't rot down....

and you can trip over it too