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Dock infestation

• Message 1. 

  Posted by peter (U14813846) on Monday, 14th March 2011

  I am clearing a large (1/3 acre) plot currently laid to grass for vegetable cultivation. The ground is heavy clay and heavily infested with dock plants and roots. I want to avoid chemicals if at all possible. The books advise clearing this all (by hand!) before planting, and certainly not to rotovate and thus propogate lots of dock plants.
  
  My question is this. I plan to cover what will become the beds with black sheeting, and clear a bit at a time. Would it be better to rotovate the ground (grass, docks and all) before covering?
  
  I also need to plant a hedge as a wind-break, and planned to do so through black sheeting. I have removed the turf, but again should I rotovate and mix in compost before covering with sheet, or risk planting the hedge plants into solid clay!?
  
  Peter

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by cufcskim (U14483815) on Monday, 14th March 2011

  Got to be honest, my humble patch was under thick bark and membrane for several years and still felt an initial spray was the best way to give myself a fighting start.
  
  Basically you've got a choice
  
  several years of frequent tilling to eradicate the docks and whatever else is lying in wait.
  or
  a couple of sprayings and start with the 'cleanest slate' you're likely to get.
  
  I'd spray once, let it take effect, rotovate, wait a few weeks, spray again then start work (covering the ground you won't working).
  
  

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by garyhobson (U11055016) on Tuesday, 15th March 2011

  The best way to deal with docks is to use a special tool called a 'dock grubber'. This is how the Victorians dealt with the problem. I have one myself. It's also very useful for removing dandelions, which have a similar tap root.
  
  Here is an article, written by someone who had acquired a plot of land, covered in docks, explaining what he did:
  
  
  It's the fifth paragraph down, "... a forest of ugly, dying, brown docks... these deep rooting and beastly weeds...etc, etc."
  
  The article also gives some clues as to where these items may be obtained.
  
  You could also consider strimming, and then mowing, the patch. This would make the patch look tidy. Repeated close mowing, which may take a while, should eventually kill the docks. Or hand-weed the area that you want to cultivate now using a grubber, and strim/mow the remainder.

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• Message 4

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  Posted by Vixxihibiscus (U13865184) on Tuesday, 15th March 2011

  I must confess I am almost totally organic. The only chemical I own is one very small bottle of Resolva and I only use it on Dockins.
  
  I have to vote with Cufcskim, I'm all for organic gardening but you're fighting a losing battle with Docks!
  
  Round-em-up and start your Organic adventure from there!

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• Message 5

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  Posted by Logissimo (U14020652) on Tuesday, 15th March 2011

  I agree, grubbing 1\3 acre, sounds like hard work. I'd go, for Roundup, it's relatively benign and it will do the job.
  
  Be prepared for lots and lots of seedlings though once you start to cultivate.
  
  Good luck L

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• Message 6

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  Posted by Paull2 (U14064177) on Thursday, 17th March 2011

  I have a similar sized paddock/orchard which I have fought with for 14 years, just to keep under control without any aim to cultivate other than with fruit trees. Left to its own devices for a couple of years and the docks, nettles and brambles (not to mention rabbits and moles) create a daunting task to eradicate. For the last two years I have blitzed it, combining selective weedkiller (including Roundup, brushwood killer and some serious commercial concoction) with regular close cutting, particularly during the first half of the year. I think this year will now need much less weedkiller but plenty of cutting to deter the worst weeds.Without becoming too obsessive, you just have to keep a close eye on what's coming up, and deal with it piecemeal. As has been said already, once rotorvated, it's like opening Pandora's box as nettles etc spring up. Again close attention needed. Best of luck... it does get better if you keep on top of it.

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 6.

  Posted by Papa Nopsis (U14479902) on Friday, 18th March 2011

  In the case of thistles which are notorious for getting rid of in the garden, the farmer has a very different approach. The one thing they do not like is being carved up. They propagate best from root.
  
  I suspect the dock with those awful roots, is rather similar and that if you till it as deeply as you can a couple of times, the problem may be solved.
  
  If you can not see the thistle, the principle is that it is not there. The same may apply to dock.

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