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Post by Cat on Jan 3, 2016 18:28:34 GMT
Due to different reasons ( too long to go into) I have decided to not use the main area of my veg plot this season, but to focus of other areas of the gardens that need finishing, replanting or other works (oh and I may grow the odd dahlia too to keep the youngest happy.  ) I am thinking of digging and weeding, manuring then covering with black polythene some time between now and the end of the Easter holidays. Is this the best way to condition the soil yet keep it a bit weed free until next year ? |
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Post by SueA on Jan 3, 2016 19:51:01 GMT
That sounds like a good plan to me Cat, the only thing I would say is that you'll probably end up with a lovely crop of slugs on the underside of the plastic as I have found in the past!  You could try using weed control fabric instead of the plastic which would let moisture through as well or maybe just grow a 'green manure' on the plot which you dig in later to enrich the soil, never used that myself but you see a lot about it in magazines etc., you might still get some weeds coming up amongst it though. |
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Post by Cat on Jan 3, 2016 21:01:01 GMT
Thanks SueA I did wonder about slugs! little blighters so yes your idea of weed control fabric may be better to let it breathe. Green manures I have never done either - maybe I could do a bit that way too hmmm.... |
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Post by daitheplant on Jan 3, 2016 21:06:34 GMT
Cat, I totally agree with Sue re the weed fibre. Apart from letting moisture through, it also lets the soil breathe.
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Post by Cat on Jan 3, 2016 21:12:29 GMT
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Post by Cherry on Jan 3, 2016 21:29:21 GMT
I used heavy cardboard in which the new shower screen was wrapped. It worked a treat.
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Post by Cat on Jan 3, 2016 21:30:27 GMT
thats interesting Cherry kind of no dig-esk  |
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Post by roofgardener on Jan 12, 2016 13:55:32 GMT
I knew a chap who used old carpets ! (seriously).
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Post by Cat on Jan 12, 2016 19:09:09 GMT
I guess that would work too - if I had old carpet enough to cover appr. 6 x 10 mtr!! lol |
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Post by roofgardener on Jan 12, 2016 20:21:34 GMT
Not so mad as it may seem. Do you have any local internet "freesale/streetwise" type organisations ? People are ALWAYS throwing out old carpets. I never said that the pattern would be consistent across your plot  |
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Post by Cat on Jan 12, 2016 21:05:53 GMT
Hahaha true you didn't and yes we do have free cycle |
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Post by daitheplant on Jan 12, 2016 21:14:07 GMT
The carpet should be natural fibre though rather than a nylon based one.
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Post by Cat on Jan 13, 2016 17:48:59 GMT
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Post by daitheplant on Jan 13, 2016 20:21:02 GMT
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Post by sweetpea on Jan 13, 2016 23:46:42 GMT
Best way to get old carpet as I have found and used in the past is to check out any skips in your area and also carpet depots as their carpet fitters bring back customers old carpets to dispose of usually in their back yard where their skips are. A quiet word with someone in the store and you get as much as you want.
Word of caution, although they do a great job they get ridiculously heavy when wet so bear that in mind.
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) I am thinking of digging and weeding, manuring then covering with black polythene some time between now and the end of the Easter holidays. Is this the best way to condition the soil yet keep it a bit weed free until next year ?
You could try using weed control fabric instead of the plastic which would let moisture through as well or maybe just grow a 'green manure' on the plot which you dig in later to enrich the soil, never used that myself but you see a lot about it in magazines etc., you might still get some weeds coming up amongst it though.
