[parsley]

I took over my allotment a couple of weeks ago, begging emails to allotment societies do work woohoo!, it had belonged to an older lady who had decided it would be too much for her this year (she very kindly had it dug over and left me her tools bless her). The soil seems in generally good condition but I have noticed a creeping grass, couch grass I think, and there's rhyzomes everywhere! I've dug out loads and am going to bring them home for burning rather than stick them in the compost, but is there any way I can get rid of it without chemicals? I was told years ago that mustard is good for smothering but don't know anyone who's used it

[kitch]

Hi Parsley looking at the photo your a bit young to be lighting fires.
Sorry dont think theres an easy way but hard work, sharpen her tools un get going

[parsley]

 

[sunshineband]

Nothing really smothers couch grass I'm afriad, apart from perhaps several seasons under black plastic sheeting 

Digging it out everytime a pesky little shoot shows itself is tedious to begin with but you will soon get on top of it 

[Trillium]

I agree with the others, it's a persistent battle to pull it out. I find after a good rain that roots come easier out of soft ground and I can pull it with my hands. Soon as you spot it, do battle because the dratted stuff grows so darned fast. I even tried putting up a concrete block wall against them and the little stinkers grew under the wall 

And you're right - never ever compost couch roots unless you want to propagate them.

[parsley]

Thanks everyone  . Can't wait til Albert is old enough to use a hand fork 

[Trillium]

  You've got that right - train 'em while they're young !

[Ema]

I've got couch all over my new plot. I'm slowly digging it out its hard work! I have been leaving the paths but fear this was an awful idea. I've also thrown the clogs into the compost bin - I'm going to wrap the timber bin in black plastic and hope for the best.

[parsley]

It is hard work and so distracting! One minute I'm happily preparing a seed bed, the next minute I'm over the other side of the allotment digging like a woman possessed trying to get the root up. And then when it snaps there's plenty of swearing 

[simonwatson]

I've got couch all over my new plot. I'm slowly digging it out its hard work! I have been leaving the paths but fear this was an awful idea. I've also thrown the clogs into the compost bin - I'm going to wrap the timber bin in black plastic and hope for the best.

You can use a solution of Ammonium Sulphamate to accelerate the composting process. It's my understanding that whilst you can no longer use it as a weedkiller (it's not EU approved) it's still OK to use as a compost accelerator.

[LilacSandy]

I've got couch all over my new plot. I'm slowly digging it out its hard work! I have been leaving the paths but fear this was an awful idea. I've also thrown the clogs into the compost bin - I'm going to wrap the timber bin in black plastic and hope for the best.

You can use a solution of Ammonium Sulphamate to accelerate the composting process. It's my understanding that whilst you can no longer use it as a weedkiller (it's not EU approved) it's still OK to use as a compost accelerator.

I think Parsley want,s to do this without chemicals Simon, and looking at that lovely picture I would not want to put any chemicals on compost that may end up in the food that he is going to eat.

[simonwatson]

You're right, I missed that part of the original post.

[parsley]

2 barrows worth has been bought home today and is popping away nicely in the chimnea. Bloomin stuff!

[Trillium]

But now you'll have some nice ash for the soil 

[parsley]

Exactly  nothing wasted...even the bad bits!