weed killer recommendations please

A systemic weedkiller at this time of year won't do, although Weedol will kill annual weeds like grass etc. I would get plenty of cardboard and newspaper or plastic sheeting and cover the area, then you can lift one bit at a time and dig - get friends around to help and do them dinner or a takeaway as a thank you.

as above, round up if your quick, it is de-activated on contact with soil so it wont harm your next crops

yes roundup would probably do the job, but at this time of year I would just cover it and leave it over winter

If we presume that OH is a good gardener there will be no perennial weeds and covering with black plastic sheet or thick cardboard for the Winter would be a good way to go. I personally think this is the way to go anyway. Deal with any perennial weeds when you lift the sheet next Spring.

If there are perennial weeds then either Resolva or Roundup should kill them. These will still work now and well into the Winter but the problem is finding a day when there will be 6 hours of dry weather after application. Both these products specify that 6 hours are necessary.

Resolva is a mixture of a dessicant (diquat) and a plant poison (glyphosate). Diquat is what knocks the leaves quickly and glyphosate, which is what is in Roundup, kills the roots. There is some very clever chemistry in there which stops the dessicating action intefering with the takeup of glyphosate.

I can see that it would be easy to apply Resolva when there are not 6 dry hours and see the leaves burned off thinking the job is done when only the diquat element has worked. Has anyone experienced this?

I would personally advice you have a very vague, out of interest, general chat with your OH about using weedkillers. He could have been organic man and your actions may seriously upset him. remember! if he was a good gardener he would love his plot and doesnt want any "bad" things to happen to it (even if it is done with good intentions).

I would absolutely agree with the 'cover it up and dig over gradually' approach.

It's amazing how well it works. I'm really glad that I discovered some massive green sheets under my (new) overgrown plot. They're obviously designed for covering and can really keep things in check until I get around to digging.

I'm no angel when it comes to weedkiller but I  try to use it extremely sparingly (i.e. by occasionally spot painting using a small brush - never using a watering can and spraying is just unthinkable).

Wow!