Help,with weeds

Icecannon

New to gardening, I have only a small patch outside the front door, around 6 feet by 5, it's full of mostly nettles, what's the best way to clear these for planting?

My instincts say dig them up, but most of what I've read seem to offer other solutions such as weed killers, hot water, vinegar etc, it's open so needs to be a animal/pet friendly method.

My plan is to plan some wild plants and daffodils, something to give a bit of interest the whole year, so,if anyone can't help with the weeds issue, then planting suggestions and tips would be also welcomed.

Mojisola

Icecannon wrote: »

New to gardening, I have only a small patch outside the front door, around 6 feet by 5, it's full of mostly nettles, what's the best way to clear these for planting?

My instincts say dig them up

I would clear the ground by digging up the nettles and removing as many roots as you come across.

Normally, you'd add dig in some compost at the same time but you won't want the ground too rich if you're aiming for wild flowers.

Ebe_Scrooge

Any Glyphosphate weed-killer will do the trick. Apply it when there's no chance of rain for a day, it gets absorbed by the leaves, down into the plant, and kills the whole thing. It's harmless to animals once dry.


Having said that ... for a small patch such as you describe, digging them out will be easy enough - and free - and completely "organic". Nettles have long roots, but they're very shallow - it's strangely satisfying pulling out several feet of root along with the plant It'll not be a big job. Oh, and nettles are absolutely brilliant for the compost heap as well, so it's a win/win situation.

Icecannon

Thanks both.

@Ebe if I aim for the free method I'll have to get knocking on neighbors doors to borrow a spade :beer:

Honey_Bear

I'd put on a pair of stout gloves and pull them up. Very satisfying.

ColinFishwick

Two choices spray weedkiller and wait a couple of weeks and then dig it all up with a fork not a spade as that can cut into roots. Or dig it up now with a fork and compost/burn, if burn leave it to dry for a few weeks. Also as said wear some think gloves.

Davesnave

Honey_Bear wrote: »

I'd put on a pair of stout gloves and pull them up. Very satisfying.

It is if you have that elusive "moist, open and free draining" soil that gardening literature always goes on about, but if you have the standard claggy stuff most of us tolerate, the root will break and they'll return, eventually.

I wouldn't go for wild flowers; hardest sort of gardening there is!

I would just stick in a few small evergreen shrubs, add interest with bee-friendly perennials and maybe a few winter pansies/primroses/wallflowere etc. Daffs are fine when you can let the leaves build-up next year's bulbs, but in a small plot like that, they may look somewhat straggly and untidy by May.

Justagardener

Take your time and Kill the weeds properly with a strong glyphosate weed killer don't waste your money on garden centre weed killers, use something like gallup or rosate 360 you can get these on amazon. Then plant Perhaps a miniature buddleia, a hebe. A euonymus and a buxus , maybe a few hardy geraniums and then leave small pockets to pop bedding plants In for seasonal interest...if it was me i would then cover the soil with 10mm pea shingle.
There is some good info on the weed killers here
https://theperfectgarden.co.uk/the-best-weed-killers-for-your-garden-and-how-to-use-weed-killers-successfully/

glasgowdan

Professional weed killers are the same strength as domestic roundup once mixed. And don't forget we're talking 5x6ft here. I wouldn't buy commercial concentrations of product for that!

I'd dig them out and get the soil nice and ready to accept the new seeds/plants.

And for larger areas I apply weed killer and then strim the surface dead matter 2 weeks later. Blow the plant matter onto lawns and hoover it all up when I cut the grass. So much quicker than digging out dead weeds.

Justagardener

Professional weed killers are the same strength as domestic roundup once mixed

Professional weed killers sit around 360g/l up to about 460g/l whereas domestic Round up is approx 120g/l it doesn't matter how much is mixed the concentrate is what it is. Most weed killers cost around £12-15 even for a small amount it just seems sensible to buy strong stuff for the same price.

glasgowdan

You apply glyphosate to the plant at the same concentration whether you've bought ready mix at B&Q or a tub of concentrated 360/450 g/l trade stuff.