[PaulE]

Hi Everyone,

We took on a new plot this year and as the weeds/grass were waist height we ended up covering 3/4 of it.

The 1/4 we have been working has been great and we are looking forward to using the whole plot in 2013.

I removed the black plastic sheeting this past weekend and sure enough everything underneath was dead. I raked off most of what remained and I'm left with a few old dead roots etc.

My question is, whats my next step ? The ground as I expected is very hard. Do I need to leave the covers off now so it softens up a bit or shall I wait until it turns a bit colder so nothing re grows?

I've also got a supply of Horse Manure coming my way whenever I want it but I'm wondering when best to dig it in and if its worth rotovating the ground before I dig this in ?

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

[aelf]

I would rough-dig it over with a spade, pulling out any perennial weed roots as you go, then leave it for the birds to get at the grubs and frosts and cold to break it up over the winter. Manure can be added where it's needed in the early spring just as the worms are getting going again.

Any weeds that germinate now will not have much chance to get growing as autumn sets in.

If it's too hard to dig now, leave it a week or so in the rain as you suggest, to soften up.

And watch your back with all that digging! 

[Kleftiwallah]

I agree with all of the above,  but I would leave the rotavator in the shed for a couple of years. :blink:

Cheers,   Tony.

[Fatfingers]

A practical method of clearing is to do it in smaller sections, covering them over as soon as they’ve been dug and second weeded until the time is right to plant up a crop.