Allotment evils - could cry with frustration

ukmaggie45

queen_of_cheap wrote: »

I got the keys to my allotment a few days ago, and have been there today digging and hand sifting for roots

Congratulations! We don't use chemicals at all as I'm sensitive to a lot of stuff. Good luck with the weeding! I actually find it quite soothing - bit like a gardening meditation. Well seeing as it has to be done it's good I get something positive out of it! :rotfl:

forgotmyname

Stronger weeds will grow through the membrane. Thick carpet or plastic sheeting is a better option to start off with. Once you have erradicated most of the weeds then use membrane.

I had brambles on my plot and that grew threw the plastic. 1200 gauge black plastic sheet not tissue paper stuff.

EpsomOldie

ally18 wrote: »

Willthey still grow under the membrane then?

No,the annuals will die from lack of light, and likewise, new baby weed seeds won't be able to germinate (or if they do will quickly snuff it...ha ha!). All you'll see -if anything - is the withered corpses of your late, unlamented, evil weeds.

The perennial weeds, like couch, dandelion, bindweed, nettle - will also be yellow and withered, BUT, that's just the tops. Their oomph is all in the roots so they are still alive, and as soon as they get light they will resurrect themselves. So make sure to dig out their roots. And DON'T compost the roots as they'll continue to grow and flourish in your compost!

You'll inevitably miss a few so just keep digging them out when they raise their horrible heads.

forgotmyname wrote: »

Stronger weeds will grow through the membrane.Thick carpet or plastic sheeting is a better option to start off with. Once you have erradicated most of the weeds then use membrane.

forgotmyname wrote: »

I had brambles on my plot and that grew threw the plastic. 1200 gauge black plastic sheet not tissue paper stuff.

This hasn't been my experience. Well okay it was, but only because I left the membrane on a patch for (blush) two years without digging out the horrible perennials underneath So stuff like couch grew through it and enmeshed itself into the weave of the membrane. But I was a slob, and that was supervised neglect and not the sort of thing that the OP would do!

Personally I wouldn't use carpet (very heavy esp when wet and unpleasant to handle), or plastic (impermeable so the soil can't breathe and gets sour). I agree that brambles will grow through anything! So whatever the OP uses, I suggest that s/he lops off the brambles and other woody stuff like teasels, thistles etc at ground level - and disposes of them - before laying the membrane. S/he might find it useful to also trample down any upright, stiff stuff so that the membrane lies flatter.

forgotmyname

Not something the OP would do. (intentionally maybe).

One thing i found after getting the allotment. Life sucks time out of you leaving not enough left over.

Hospitals and family issues left little time to get down there. I have this weekend free. But whats saturday's forecast like.. Thunder, Lightning, Rain and a weather alert. Oh goody. So Saturday is a washout. Fingers crossed for Sunday?

wellused

Queen of cheap don't strim the area where you have put the glyphosate as it needs at least two weeks if not three for the chemical to get down to the roots if you strim the top off the roots won't be poisoned. At this time of year it is more usual to strim the weeds before applying the glyphosate, cut the weeds down and wait until the new growth shoots up then when they have plenty of leaf spray the glyphosate, it works better on new growth and the chemical has less distance to travel before it is in the roots.

forgotmyname

All this rain will wash the weedkiller off fairly quickly. You really need a few dry days. After spraying.

ally18

Morning everyone and thanks for your advice.

I managed to get hold of two large tarpaulin sheets free yesterday and have got some strong weedkiller. I made a start on the undug half by cutting back the tops of the weeds so they were at a more manageable level ie down to about 4 inches. When I had this done, I sprayed them with the weedkiller but unfortunately later on it started to rain. Bright blue sky one minute and then throwing it down the next so no doubt this needs doing again.

I'm going to spray again next weekend if the weather is good and once they are dead (with any luck), I will be covering the area with the tarpaulin sheets until I can get round to the actual digging. I really want it to look neater instead of a wilderness.

I was loath to use weedkiller as my plot neighbours seem to think this is a no no but as per all your advice, it is the only way forward for me at the moment because I just don't have the time. As it is, I'm spending about 4-5 hrs there every Sat and Sun just weeding around the growing plants. Not even getting housework done .

But, I noticed I have radishes growing now :j, the swedes are looking very sorry for themselves and I still only have 2 runner beans. No idea where the other 10 have gone, they are a bit slow.

I also managed to paint another side of the shed before the rain came.

ally18

ukmaggie45 wrote: »

Congratulations! We don't use chemicals at all as I'm sensitive to a lot of stuff. Good luck with the weeding! I actually find it quite soothing - bit like a gardening meditation. Well seeing as it has to be done it's good I get something positive out of it! :rotfl:

I actually find the weeding can be quite relaxing too and have enjoyed doing it at times but when you come back the following weekend and the nice neat area that you left last time is now bustling with those evil dandelions and thistles, it is slightly un nerving. I'ts like they wait for you and when you open up the gate, they turn around and grin. I just cannot get that advert out of my head! After only 3 months, I think the paranoia may be starting :rotfl:.

ally18

EpsomOldie wrote: »

This hasn't been my experience. Well okay it was, but only because I left the membrane on a patch for (blush) two years without digging out the horrible perennials underneath So stuff like couch grew through it and enmeshed itself into the weave of the membrane. But I was a slob, and that was supervised neglect and not the sort of thing that the OP would do!


Personally I wouldn't use carpet (very heavy esp when wet and unpleasant to handle), or plastic (impermeable so the soil can't breathe and gets sour). I agree that brambles will grow through anything! So whatever the OP uses, I suggest that s/he lops off the brambles and other woody stuff like teasels, thistles etc at ground level - and disposes of them - before laying the membrane. S/he might find it useful to also trample down any upright, stiff stuff so that the membrane lies flatter.

I trample all the time, sometimes jump up and down on the b*****rs . However, I have been sensible this weekend and cut them back but I have made the mistake of not clearing them away before spraying the weedkiller. There was so much so I left them but like I said earlier, it rained so I will be doing it again next weekend. I will clear the area properly with a rake before I re spray.

ally18

forgotmyname wrote: »

Not something the OP would do. (intentionally maybe).

One thing i found after getting the allotment. Life sucks time out of you leaving not enough left over.

Hospitals and family issues left little time to get down there. I have this weekend free. But whats saturday's forecast like.. Thunder, Lightning, Rain and a weather alert. Oh goody. So Saturday is a washout. Fingers crossed for Sunday?

This is so true. Not enough time in the day and when the time is perfect, the weather is not.

I sat in all day Saturday waiting for the heavy rain and thunderstorms. It never arrived! I cancelled a bbq as well. Sunday, the weather was great, had a couple of hours in my house garden and then went to the allotment. It rained! :rotfl: