The revenge of the stripey socks - a DFW adventure

savingforarainyday

Been a bit lax at posting recently, but could resist today.

LT Ooh a shiny new allotment; well an overgrown large allotment. I have an allotment, and yes we collect carpet to use when we put it "to bed" in the winter. I know when someone here takes over an allotment that is overgrown, the council will do a first rotivation for free?

Fay have just started using skype to chat to friends in Turkey, seems to work OK, not much breaking up of voices etc.

Gas men. hmph.

Well I am away to make sausage casserole and put ds some luch in now oven is warm.

Not a very exciting day today. Cleaning and tidying for me

Lemon_Tree

savingforarainyday wrote: »

LT Ooh a shiny new allotment; well an overgrown large allotment. I have an allotment, and yes we collect carpet to use when we put it "to bed" in the winter. I know when someone here takes over an allotment that is overgrown, the council will do a first rotivation for free?

our council don't do anything for free, you even have to pay an annual additional payment for a garden waste bin if you want one. And that's on top of your council tax! We were just told that we must get it ship shape by the end of Feb, which given that we didn't take possession until mid Dec has been tricky because it's basically been covered in snow most of the time. They have graciously given us a special dispensation, but haven't specified how long extra we have got.

another reason why i thought i if i got 'in' with the allotment society things may get more flexible.

angelflower_2

whats a tap root....is that that grassy stuff that it just seems to spread under the soil like veins everywhere.

I grew my veggie patch out of section of lawn and cant get rid of these types of roots. Didnt know you could put down weedkiller and still grow plants!!!

oh, and hellloooo all

Pippilongstocking

Tap root is a type of root (kinda long and skinny like a carrot) which goes down deep into the ground, usually found with perennial weeds (those which grow year after year) eg dandelion, docks, some thistles etc

Grasses and nettles and other perennial weeds etc have a similar problems with roots, although not tap roots, their systems are more on the surface.

Anyway the problem with BOTH types of these perennial weeds are that if you chop them up, each piece of root will regrow into a new plant (eg for each one weed - once rotivated you can end up with 100's or actually more like 1000's)

Weeds like this are best treated by digging every single bingle entire root out. (yeah every single bingle one - you did read that right - or they regrow and bang you're back where you started unless you keep on top of it all!) You can cover them and then rotivate, if you have enough time, but sometimes they just keep coming back.

Otherwise you might control them.......

........by using a systemic, non-residual herbicide which will kill the plant and the whole of the root system, is harmless to the soil, surrounding bugs etc as it ONLY effects plant tissue and then once the plant dies the herbicide is gone e.g. The main one I prefer has the active ingredient 'Glyphosate' (brand name is 'Round up' - but most DIY shops do their own version at a fraction of the cost) - read the label where the active ingredients is listed if it has the active ingredient 'Glyphosate', then thats essentially exactly the same as the brand version, although some strengths vary.

This explains a bit if you're interested, I am by no means an expert.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glyphosate

Glyphosate can be used once and if not needed again, you're back at the not using chemicals on your plot. Its often used when converting land into things (e.g. crops, veggies etc) and often only used at the very start of cropping as that's the only time its needed if you have good thorough husbandry afterwards (if that's possible).

Essentially afterwards you can follow an 'organic' or 'natural' method of growing (although for organic certification I think there's a certain amount of years you need to have 'no' chemicals on the ground (but that's hardly appropriate on an allotment).

Some places (ie allottments) might have a no chemical policy, that's why I asked - although I've seen glyphosate as being on the 'allowed but use only when necessary list'. Personally I think use things like this only when needed - and this I do use herbicide (only this one) - when needed - I think you have to be practical - I wouldn't use it on a small patch, but would on an allotment especially at the start (but that's just my opinion).

Its a balance between being 'natural' and organic I think. I'd never say I was an 'organic gardener' I prefer to be as 'natural' as possible, but realistic. Sometimes we need a helping hand, which is fine, if things like chemicals are used sensibly to minimise their impact but be effective. (I do have a bit of a bee in my bonnet about some so called 'organic' methods, but lets leave that tyrade until another time)

LOL I am a hippy eh? Sorry if I've done the 'some chemicals are OK in moderation lecture'

Pippilongstocking

eek scared you all off just back from body balance

i ache!

boredofbeingathome

Phew that is interesting Fay- i swear my weeds in the patio like round up.....they are the hard man version of a weed:rotfl::rotfl:


I often imagine conversations:o :


More round up, more round up- i can take it- ya call that a dose? Pah i spit at your doses... I grow more ....:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Pippilongstocking

..........Ah well if you spit at my doses I will return with YET more doses of greater quantities and instead of laughing at me you will DIE weed!!!

*also fires up the firey weed wand* evil laughing ensues with the sound of frazzled patios

Hello BOB just carrying on - ahem - stopped now

Pippilongstocking

Just updated my electricity bill - we've used 28 units a day

Which is about right for us I fear - doesnt seem to matter what I do it never goes much below this - although the bill is in credit by 56 quid

Hey ho - eh?

boredofbeingathome

fayjmck wrote: »

..........Ah well if you spit at my doses I will return with YET more doses of greater quantities and instead of laughing at me you will DIE weed!!!

*also fires up the firey weed wand* evil laughing ensues with the sound of frazzled patios

Hello BOB just carrying on - ahem - stopped now

OOh weed wand- reminds me of Evil Edna..*cackles*:rotfl:

I want one now:D

angelflower_2

thanks so much for glyphosate info....indeed that is the evil weed type crap I have to deal with in my veggie patch and they will know my wrath this year...oh yes, they will know my wrath!!