Weeds, covering or weed killer.

[jimbeekeeper]

Just started harvesting/clearing the veg plot, but I am still battling weeds since starting it 3 seasons ago from a peice of previous agricultural land.

Biggest issue I have is field next to me is very much set-aside, so I get all the weed seeds blown off it.

I am thinking about just coving the beds I have (4 off 2m x 10 m) with heavy duty black plastic and just leaving until the spring when I will plant again.

Is solid black plastic best or would I be better with a true weed membrain, i.e lets water through?

I will not be planting through this sheet so no real need for water to get through, just realy to block light out and kill of the main weeds.

 

[Luminos]

Weedproof fabric is quite expensive, and I find that once a bit of soil collects on top of it, the weeds grow on it even if they don't grow under it.

After harvesting my summer veg, I mulch with a thick layer of horse manure (about 60cm thick, but that's only because I have a lot of it!)
Black plastic works very well if you can stop it blowing away, similarly thick cardboard.
We are surrounded by fields here, and the above does seem to keep the weeds under control.

 

[jimbeekeeper]

Thanks, I think I will go with the black plastic.

looks like about £50 for 50m x 2m wide, in the 500 gauge.

Will try it, might save a bit of sweet.

 

[Flatters]

I am trying green mauure this year for any empty beds. Caliente Mustard is what I have chosen as it is good for teh soil and when it flowers honey bees are suypposed to love it.

 

[jimbeekeeper]

I am been searching and damp proof membrane is actually cheaper and thicker at 1200 gauge.

Best I can see is £39 inc free postage.

 

[Tom Bick]

I am been searching and damp proof membrane is actually cheaper and thicker at 1200 gauge.

Best I can see is £39 inc free postage.

Yes this works well very strong, I have been fortunate to salvage it over time.

I tend to spike it with the fork where the puddles form so the ground does not completely dry out and to encourage the worms to do their work.

 

[busybee53]

I am trying to set up an apiary on ground with thistle, bramble, bindweed and mares tail. I dug out as much as I could and couldn't move for about 4 weeks after, by which time it was all beginning to come back. Three glyphosate applications slowed it a bit but I knew it would not be for long.

I was lucky enough to be given some non porous black plastic and it seems to be working ok. I am putting tree shreddings on top but it is held down with bricks temporarily. Seems to be ok and has been there since the spring. I recon the weeds would have been through anything less tough - like weed supressing membrane.

 

[Luminos]

I am trying green mauure this year for any empty beds. Caliente Mustard is what I have chosen as it is good for teh soil and when it flowers honey bees are suypposed to love it.

Bear in mind that you may get the same resulting honey as OSR, as I think it's the same family.

 

[jimbeekeeper]

Yes this works well very strong, I have been fortunate to salvage it over time.

I tend to spike it with the fork where the puddles form so the ground does not completely dry out and to encourage the worms to do their work.

Thanks.

That was my only concern that that ground becomes to dry.

I guess the plastic will also help in the spring with warming the ground, and can also be used to cover crops to keep warm until the show signs of sprouting though?

 

[Tom Bick]

Jim yes it helps to warm the ground and if left until the ground is needed, the soil is nice and damp a little dig over and ready for planting when other ground not covered is often dry and any seeds or seedlings will need plenty of watering to get going.

I don’t think it will be any good to cover crops as it is thick and heavy, perhaps if you are wanting to force early potatoes by warming the soil after planting or to cover seeds for short periods to speed germination may work but then thats fraught with problems.

 

[jimbeekeeper]

I don’t think it will be any good to cover crops as it is thick and heavy, perhaps if you are wanting to force early potatoes by warming the soil after planting or to cover seeds for short periods to speed germination may work but then thats fraught with problems.

I was meaning seed, spuds, only for a few days after planting.

 

[theeggman]

Jimbee,
Unless the DPC obscures all light passing through you may get a very good crop of weeds under it as it will be like a polytunnel.

Tim

 

[SixFooter]

I use a flame gun. Much quicker and more effective than glyphosate and a lot more fun. It kills everything including any seeds that may have blown in. Some weeds seem to survive being covered in plastic.

 

[jimbeekeeper]

Jimbee,
Unless the DPC obscures all light passing through you may get a very good crop of weeds under it as it will be like a polytunnel.

Tim

Thanks, Tim. I am quite good at growing weeds anyway!

I have gone for thickest they do, so fingers crossed. It should be here for next weekend and will lay it then.