[snowdrops]

This type of sheet to grow through.Not sure how to get the line under the link so that you get straight to the page.
http://www.organiccatalogue.com/Pests-and-Weeds-Weed-Control/c61_184/index.html

I was thinking of doing my spuds through it with a load of manure/compost under them & then the sheet on top,for this year to give me a fighting chance against the couch grass,if not all of them maybe just the earlies. I have sprayed but can't be sure how successful it will be as it's still a bit early for it.

Ah once posted the line came up so ignore that bit.

[NASH]

I grow all my spuds in just well rotted manure with permeable landscape fabric over the top, I cut small crosses in the plastic and then push a dibber in then drop the seed in, I dont get one weed doing this.

[snowdrops]

I grow all my spuds in just well rotted manure with permeable landscape fabric over the top, I cut small crosses in the plastic and then push a dibber in then drop the seed in, I dont get one weed doing this.

Hi thanks for that,to clarify is it the woven membrane that you use?

[NASH]

I find plastic woven lasts longer

[snowdrops]

Thanks for that,I have got some will just have to decide if it's worth cutting up as I wasn't intending on doing them that way every year. What are the yields like under it?

[grinling]

Normal yields, put slug pellets under the matting.

[Brassica Blaz]

i'm using black polythene sheets for all my brassica beds this season ,hoping to stop the root fly and supress the weeds . i hate having to weed under all the netting thats over them so this seems a good idea.

[Yorkie]

Standard polythene will not allow air or water through, and thus does the soil no good.  If you can get proper stuff then that would be advisable.

I would also advise that you take proper precautions against the cabbage root fly - i.e. the collars which you can get or make.  The fly will be able to lay its eggs through the cross you will have to make in the weed suppressant in order to get the plant in.

[Brassica Blaz]

Standard polythene will not allow air or water through, and thus does the soil no good.  If you can get proper stuff then that would be advisable.

I would also advise that you take proper precautions against the cabbage root fly - i.e. the collars which you can get or make.  The fly will be able to lay its eggs through the cross you will have to make in the weed suppressant in order to get the plant in.

i had thought about taping the cross back up after planting ,and making a slight well where the plant is to catch the water.

[Yorkie]

That may work. 

I still advise that polythene over the soil for a whole season is no good to the soil generally though.  It makes it stale and prevents beneficial soil organisms from thriving.

[Brassica Blaz]

That may work. 

I still advise that polythene over the soil for a whole season is no good to the soil generally though.  It makes it stale and prevents beneficial soil organisms from thriving.

if i take the polythene off in the autumn once the plants have established themselves ,and the weeds have slowed down, do you think that would be ok for the soil ? .

[brown thumb]

what you need is weed surpressing membrane the sort which allows water in  i did it this way last year with good re sults but used disks cut out from margarine tubs as collars over the membrane

[Yorkie]

That may work. 

I still advise that polythene over the soil for a whole season is no good to the soil generally though.  It makes it stale and prevents beneficial soil organisms from thriving.

if i take the polythene off in the autumn once the plants have established themselves ,and the weeds have slowed down, do you think that would be ok for the soil ? .

It would be better, but not great as an annual solution.

[snowdrops]

You'd have to make your cuts very big to get over the plants. Thanks for every ones comments I'll come back later in the year & let you know how I get on.

[Yorkie]

You'd have to make your cuts very big to get over the plants. Thanks for every ones comments I'll come back later in the year & let you know how I get on.

You lay the covering on the ground, make X shaped cuts in it, peel back the flaps, and put the plant roots / tubers etc into the soil through the covering.  You don't put the plants in first and then waggle the covering over the plants.