This discussion has been closed.
Posted by whatalottie (U9072847) on Tuesday, 14th September 2010
I've recently dug some of my beds, and I'll dig them again in October. The idea is that annual weeds will germinate in the warm earth and I can get rid of them now saving time next year.
Does anyone know if this works?
I's already showing working to some extent, I've picked out several pieces of twitch, I'm working on getting rid of the nasties!
Thanks,
Lottie
, in reply to message 1.
Posted by Kleftiwallah (U13700999) on Tuesday, 14th September 2010
This is a very good for annual weeds, digging them in before seeding is good practice but you need diligence for the pernitious perrenial weeds. You just have to go on what me and the memsahb call 'white root patrol. Me digging and she carefully removing twitch grass and bindweed roots, it is good that they are white and easily seen. Cheers, Tony.
Hi whatalottie. If you're on the warpath against annual weeds, a hoe can be as good as digging and disturbs the soil less. When the weeds are just beginning to show, using a push-hoe to chop off their tops is very effective and saves you the effort of digging!
I'm not sure if the "twitch" you refer to is the stuff known as couch grass? (White roots about 2mm thick which break easily, soft trailing green stems?) If so, it's not an annual, and you're right, digging to remove all pieces of root is the effective control, as each fragment left in the ground will sprout energetically to make a new plant.
Yes Tony, thats the way we've done too, the only way I think. I sometimes i thought I was on my knees so much god must surely look kindly on us.
We too our plot on BECAUSE it was full of nettles. Nettles show that a ground is fertile. On the other hand my OH is 6ft 7" and they were taller than him! After five years we're still finding the occasional piece of twitch/couch although (hopefully) not any big dandylions etc. and thinking about it not many nettles at all.
Anyone who says they have no perennial weeds is deluded- but we're getting there... This year for the first time we've had woody nightshade, pesumably spread by birds, I gather it's a perennial although I've been pulling it out gaily without digging out the roots- bother.
It's the pesky annuals that I have trouble with!- er I don't really like hoeing, paths are OK, but I'm just not accurate enough round the crops.
Lottie
Hi pinxit,
I suppose I leave the twitch/couch until I can dig it out in case I break off any root, which means I usually have rather more to deal with at the end of the season, but at least by then there can be no mistake! and a really good dig round it gets rid of any (?!) remaining roots. Perhaps thet's why I fewer nellts and bindweed, I tend to get them out whatever.
Of course they always seed again... but the new plnants are easier to deal with.
Lottie
Whoops, I seem to be having probs with my typing! lots of extra l's- . I hope it's readable!
Lottie
Hello,
I find the best way to remove coutch/twitch is to use a fork, if you dig useing a spade you end up chopping the roots and spreading the offending weeds further.
Have a nice day on the plot.
if you have an empty bed which has got a nice bit of couch (twitch ,wickens etc) growing at this time of year it is a very good time to kill it completly using roundup just spray it over the whole bed and it will kill the entire plant right down to the tip of the roots as it will kill any other perrennial weed which is green. Do not dig for four weeks and no more perrenial weeds
Yes Tynant, I agree about the fork. I never use a spade unless I want to dig a hole; of course our soil is light.
Digging with a spade seems counterproductive.
, in reply to message 8.
Posted by gaffelbiter (U14481810) on Tuesday, 14th September 2010
I agree with farmersteve, a late application of glysophate is a great way to keep on top of weeds.
, in reply to message 8.
Posted by whatalottie (U9072847) on Wednesday, 15th September 2010
Whare wickens please farmerSteve?
Lottie
, in reply to message 11.
Posted by farmerSteve (U2644680) on Wednesday, 15th September 2010
Couch, twitch, wickens are all the same weed
I expect there are plenty of other names across the country most of which can be printed!
, in reply to message 12.
Posted by whatalottie (U9072847) on Wednesday, 15th September 2010
Err... farmerSteve, I think that most of the names we call twitch/wickens/couch are NOT publishable!!!
Lottie
Welcome to the new Gardening Board. If this is your first time, then make sure you check out the
or  to take part in a discussion.
The message board is currently closed for posting.
Weekdays 09:00-00:00
Weekends 10:00-00:00
This messageboard is .
Find out more about this board's
Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú © 2014 The Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.