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Post by tbando on Feb 17, 2019 15:23:36 GMT -5
I have a 30' x 45' garden and for 20 years have been totally organic. 2 years ago I used aged horse manure for compost. Since then I have been over run by weeds. They come up so thick they choke out some of my seedling. There is way more than I can pull by hand so I have tried tilling them under with little success. I definitely do not want to use roundup or any other similar chemicals. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank You
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Post by desertwoman on Feb 17, 2019 15:42:18 GMT -5
Hi tbando, welcome to the forum! You haven't posted a location or zone, but if it's not too late in your area you can solarized by placing black or clear plastic sheets over the beds. Be sure to secure the edges with 2x4's or similar so heat does not escape. This will cook the seeds. I've had better luck with black plastic but there are some who think clear is better. Give it 3 or 4 weeks. Another thing to do is don't till. That just stirs up more seed. And if you aren't already- mulch heavily 4-6 inches worth. You could also try a pre-emergent corn gluten weed killer, considered organic. Now is a perfect time to spread it in my zone 6b, with still below freezing nights. Feed stores usually carry it. You can probably find it online, as well.
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Post by Mumsey on Feb 19, 2019 4:27:03 GMT -5
tbando, Welcome! I agree with what desertwoman, said. And during the growing season, mulch between your rows. It helps to put down several layers of newspaper under the mulch as well. Straw, hay. leaves, grass are great mulches.
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Post by tbando on Feb 19, 2019 8:04:34 GMT -5
tbando , desertwoman , Mumsey , I use newspaper and straw between rows. My problem is when I plant seeds the weeds come up faster than the seeds and trying to pull them out when the plants are small results in pulling out some of the crop. In a week they are back. Won't corn gluten prevent my seed for coming up?
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Post by desertwoman on Feb 19, 2019 10:31:45 GMT -5
In that situation, then, it sounds like solarizing would be your best choice.
So I would solarize the whole plot to kill the bulk of the weed seeds. If it's too late in your season to do that this year then consider starting your veggie seeds in flats (or make a small bed for seed starting) then transplant them to your garden bed. I know it would be a lot of work, but this sounds like an extreme situation requiring the extra effort. Then solarize the whole garden after this years' growing season in time for next year. What area area/growing zone are you in?
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Post by tom π on Feb 19, 2019 11:14:00 GMT -5
My problem is when I plant seeds the weeds come up faster than the seeds and trying to pull them out when the plants are small results in pulling out some of the crop. Don't pull them out. Bury them by pulling soil over them. Pulling small weeds can be backbreaking labor. There are tools for fine weeding. One is a "weeding hoe", a hoe with a small triangular, unsharpened head. I also use a straight asparagus cutter for fine weeding, but I need to be seated if I use it much.
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Post by tbando on Feb 19, 2019 12:41:22 GMT -5
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Post by martywny on Feb 19, 2019 14:29:34 GMT -5
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Post by binnylou on Feb 19, 2019 15:44:27 GMT -5
martywny, that kinda looks like it might be handy for winter ice removal. And icicles, as long as it's aimed the proper direction.
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Post by James on Apr 24, 2019 15:32:43 GMT -5
tbando, welcome to the forum. Weeds are a fact of life, seed is in the soil and can survive several years until conditions seem right then it germinates. Seed is also blown in by the wind, and in my case weed seed comes in the irrigation water. So we are going to have weeds. Just hoe, hoe, hoe.
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