How long does it take to weed a 250sqm ‘No Dig’ vegetable plot: weekly
Here Rachel completes a tour with a difference where she discusses the crops grown on plot four whilst demonstrating the weed managment techniques used on our ‘no dig’ garden in real time. Plot four is half our allotment space on our allotment in Manchester, UK.
Weeds: Marestail
The weed referred to as ‘Marestail’ is also called common horsetail (Equisetum arvense). It is an invasive and deep rooted plant that grows via fast-growing rhizomes (underground stems). Marestail is a very primitive plant that was around before the dinosaurs. It reproduces by producing spores that are airborne and travel on the wind as well as by underground stems (modified roots called rhizosomes). This means it can be a tricky ‘weed’ to control.
Weeds: Couch Grass
Couch grass Couch grass (also known as quick, quitch, cooch and witchgrass) is a very common perennial weed. This grass forms large seed heads which are a good source of food for many native birds, but within a flower garden or vegetable patch it can be very invasive.
Weeds – Dock
Dock leaf, or Rumex obtusifolius, commonly known as bitter dock, broad-leaved dock, bluntleaf dock, dock leaf or butter dock, is a perennial weed that grows on waste ground. It is common-place in gardens and roadside verges and grows well in vegetable gardens with any chance to establish. Here we discuss this weed and it’s management.
Controlling weeds: Creeping Buttercup
Image from lawnweeds.co.uk Creeping buttercup, Ranunculus repens, is also known as Crow’s foot and Restharrow. It is a herbaceous plant that can grow up to 50cm tall. Just under the surface the plant sends out runners, called stolons, which means it can quickly infest an area.
How can you control creeping buttercup in your vegetable beds, borders or lawn?