[Sadgit]

What are these? I have them starting to come through all over the plot? Where my carrot seed was it was even worse.

http://www.sad-land.co.uk/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=328

Cheers
SG

[WG.]

Several different ones in there SG.  Most numerous seem to be Sweet Nettle (at least thats what I call it).

Try this : http://www.theseedsite.co.uk/seedlings11.html

[David.]

They will soon start branching (easier to pull out) and sprawling all over the place, but if you don't get them out before the little blue flowers come they will be dropping thousands of seeds all over your soil.

[Sadgit]

thanks guys.. but what are they really called, (cannot find them on that site WG)? and is there anyway I can stop them? I in some parts they totally cover the newly dug ground

[WG.]

but what are they really called

Does it really matter ??  Hoe them out as soon as they appear.  Lamium purpureum - Red Dead-Nettle I reckon

[DD.]

Most of those are speedwell, Sadgit....

http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/organicweeds/weed_information/weed.php?id=30

The only way to stop them? - The old adage- keep the hoe moving.

[corndolly]

I'd say speedwell and fathen are the weeds here, they'll have been brought to the surface when you cultivated the land and the rain we;ve had recently has helped with germination. Either leave to grow a bit bigger then handweed or if the sun comes out for a few days hoe them off.

I read that the Romans brought Fat Hen to this country as it was a regular foodstuff for them. if left it grows to about 3 foot and is bushy .

[Annie]

I `d agree with that,speedwell comes up allover in our veg plot ,mostly not on the beds and is over now,fat henis popping up now mostly where we sowed parsnips.They are easy to pull out by hand and if you miss some they are even easier to pull out as they have relativly shallow roots.

[Sadgit]

rhanks all.. this morning I am going to do the hoe - down

Shame they are all in between my onions, no chance of hoeing in there.. darn

[DD.]

Shame they are all in between my onions, no chance of hoeing in there.. darn

Why not, as long as your hoe is narrower than the gap between the onions. I've just done mine,  just be careful that's all and watch where you tread!!!

[Sadgit]

errr thats the prob... the gap is smaller in 50% of them than the hoe head... oops

[WG.]

You can still get most of them by hoeing between the rows.  I have a dinky little hoe on a long handle which I find invaluable.  Blade is only about 70mm wide

[slow_worm]

Speedwell - just pull em up with your fingers... did that this weekend three rows on hands and knees as they had grown amongst my onions too!
Carefull not to pull up any seedling onions...if you do just eat them!

[Sadgit]

was on my knees this morning pulling them out with my hands.. after i hoed out a couple of onions, step away from the hoe

[corndolly]

Is it my cynical attitude ??!! or is it only women who have the patience to hand weed . Men always need to use the hoe ! or some other tool.

Sometimes there is a case for careful handweeding and onions planted closely are definitely one of those. Unless you have a very small end on your tool like WG.