[mrswashi]

 
Hi I'm about to get my first allotment, only one quarter.
I've heard, to stop any weeds growing once I've turned the soil that it would be a good idea to cover up and leave till Spring. Any good? Tarpaulin or carpet tiles?
Thanks
Manda

[allotmentann]

Hi Manda, you may need to check that carpet is allowed on your allotment, as it isn't on many. Personally, I wouldn't use any type of carpet on my plot (and it isn't allowed anyway), as carpet contains many chemicals that may leach into the soil. Also weeds can grow through carpet and make it a nightmare to remove. If it is just a short term measure you could also try using cardboard, which is free and easy to get hold of! (And good for compost too!).

[Welsh Merf]

Once you've turned it over you could cover it with a thick layer of horse manure, and then leave it over winter so the weather can get at it.

Well . . . that's what's been suggested to me anyway, and I'm pretty new at the game myself!

[Kirpi]

another thing to consider with carpet is the chemicals that will be leaching into your soil through the winter, which you will then eat through your veggies the next year.

I would use sheets of corrugated cardboard and possibly cover this over with black polythene. The cardboard will have rotted in by spring.

Better still, try a few lasagne beds and never dig again - but that's my preference!

[DD.]

another thing to consider with carpet is the chemicals that will be leaching into your soil through the winter, which you will then eat through your veggies the next year.

I would use sheets of corrugated cardboard and possibly cover this over with black polythene. The cardboard will have rotted in by spring.

I do believe that is what allotmentann has already said!

[mrswashi]

Thanks everyone, can't believe what a novice I am and going to be on such a steep learning curve over the next year.
Happy days!
Manda

[allotmentann]

  It is amazing how much you learn in a very short time! And even more amazing how much more there is left to learn - but that is part of the fun!

[Madame Cholet]

It is amazing how much you learn in a very short time! And even more amazing how much more there is left to learn - but that is part of the fun!

and what you can do for free with recycled stuff remeber you're a womble.

[Moonshine132435]

Hi Manda
I'm a complete novice myself, but I've got a similar issue to you. I've got half a plot which is pretty brambly, the other half I'm working on. The brambly part I've covered in cardboard and weebmatting to kill stuff off, and I'll only get 'round to preparing it sometime next year.

For this year I've dug over 6 out of 12 beds so far, but I'll be leaving them open over the winter to allow any seeds I've turned up to sprout, so that I can weed them out. The seeds are going to be there one way or another, and I'm paranoid that come spring time I'll not be able to tell the difference between my freshly sprouting veg and freshly sprouting weeds. Best give the weeds a chance now while I can still do something about them.

[yaxley]

Corrugated Cardboard sounds like a great weed suppresser better than the carpet but does it contain any glues in the making process that could be harmful to the soil when it rots down ? ..

[Madame Cholet]

I was told on here ealier in the year that cardboard is made with veg dyes most boxes are taped or staples together no much glue used

[allotmentann]

Corrugated Cardboard sounds like a great weed suppresser better than the carpet but does it contain any glues in the making process that could be harmful to the soil when it rots down ? ..

I believe that some types of corrugated card may be glued together, a quick search of google will describe glue  used to stick the layers, however, it is not as easy to find out which glues. I found this link which seems to suggest that glues are not used here.
http://perrone.blogs.com/horticultural/2008/02/i-recently-had.html

[Goosegirl]

The seeds are going to be there one way or another, and I'm paranoid that come spring time I'll not be able to tell the difference between my freshly sprouting veg and freshly sprouting weeds. Best give the weeds a chance now while I can still do something about them.

If you sow your seeds in rows and label them, even if the labels come out (as mine do), you will be able to tell which are weeds (everywhere) and which are veg seedlings (in rows).

[yaxley]

Corrugated Cardboard sounds like a great weed suppresser better than the carpet but does it contain any glues in the making process that could be harmful to the soil when it rots down ? ..

I believe that some types of corrugated card may be glued together, a quick search of google will describe glue  used to stick the layers, however, it is not as easy to find out which glues. I found this link which seems to suggest that glues are not used here.
http://perrone.blogs.com/horticultural/2008/02/i-recently-had.html

Thanks for that i will be using cardboard now that i know it is safe to use 

[dankay123]

i was in the same situation but i have had major sucess with straw