bists
Full Member
Posts: 108
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Post by bists on Feb 12, 2011 19:28:41 GMT
Just a thought if you are sowing seeds soon, and you have a problem in your beds and borders with couch grass. Plant tomato plants next to the couch grass when the weather is ok. A chemical in the roots of the tomato plants inhibits the growth of the couch grass to such an extent that the grass will start to die. By the end of the season the couch grass should be gone...and you've got lovely toms. ;D Might not do much for the appearance of your borders though  |
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Post by sweetpea on Feb 12, 2011 19:31:47 GMT
My couch grass doesn't get a look in because of all the willow herbs and dandelions  |
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Post by cowslip on Feb 12, 2011 19:33:01 GMT
I'm sorry to say this does not work for me. I have couch grass (or wicken, as it is called in this area) on my allotment and I have to weed it away from my tomato plants just the same as with all the other crops.
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Post by cowslip on Feb 12, 2011 19:35:06 GMT
My couch grass doesn't get a look in because of all the willow herbs and dandelions I must try that then SP ;D |
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Post by seaburn on Feb 12, 2011 19:35:18 GMT
never heard of this method, I might be able to give it a go.
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Post by floydie on Feb 12, 2011 19:38:48 GMT
Im thinking of using a veg plant to rid me of some grass and weeds not tomms though...............
And i wont have space for flowers with its growth.............. (until next year anyway).
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Feb 12, 2011 19:45:44 GMT
Just a thought if you are sowing seeds soon, and you have a problem in your beds and borders with couch grass. Plant tomato plants next to the couch grass when the weather is ok. A chemical in the roots of the tomato plants inhibits the growth of the couch grass to such an extent that the grass will start to die. By the end of the season the couch grass should be gone...and you've got lovely toms. ;D Might not do much for the appearance of your borders though I'll give that a go. Each year I think I've beaten it, then one tiny blade pops up and I find spaghetti below the surface. |
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Post by Cherry on Feb 13, 2011 7:44:08 GMT
Bists. That sounds a good tip, but I garden in a field and my lawn is grass because of the moles. If I did that I would have borders of tomatoes which would not ripen until they have caught blight. Getting it out by hand is the only way here, and every so often I have to lift plants to get it from underneath. Just now I am thinking of moving all the Nerines to another bed because it gets under them badly.
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Post by merlin on Feb 13, 2011 8:56:36 GMT
That sounds very interesting, as someone who's sceptical of GMC interaction between plants fascinates me especially when it's to our benefit. However gardening seems to be 1% knowledge and 99% hard work......the best form of exercise though  |
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Post by grindle on Feb 13, 2011 9:20:14 GMT
sounds a great idea, but I would need to plant them right along my neighbours fence line  |
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Post by Cherry on Feb 13, 2011 16:04:02 GMT
That sounds very interesting, as someone who's sceptical of GMC interaction between plants fascinates me especially when it's to our benefit. However gardening seems to be 1% knowledge and 99% hard work......the best form of exercise though Merlin, you may know that I believe we should be testing genetic modification. However, in this case it is a form of direct control as opposed to external control which is an inbred self defence. Bists is not modifying the couch grass to make it die. He is using the tomato plants as a herbicide. If his tomatoes all grow without blight then he might consider using the seeds as part of a genetically modified chain. Pollen is type specific, so you are not going to get funny apple trees if they are growing next to genetically modified wheat. |
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