Help! Poisonous weed in Veggie patch
cowthree
13 years ago
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Dan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
13 years agoRelated Discussions
Water permeable fabric for the veggie patch- any suggestions?
Comments (11)There are many products available depending on what you are trying to achieve. I favor the biodegradable fabrics and papers, of which there are several, to plastic ones, but durability must be a part of the equation for most people, so plastics remain popular. You can find it in rolls in the gardening section at most big box hardware stores and garden centers, I like FEDCO because they're an independent Maine co-op that tries to keep prices low and focuses on ecologically responsible products. You can, however occasionally find a good buy at fabric remnant stores, and carpeting stores often have rolls of old carpet or underlayment that has been removed when new is installed that they will gladly give you. Carpeting is not always ideal - it may be treated with flame retardant, rubberized, or peed on - but for serious weed suppression it is very effective and affordable. Just be sure to remove it, or any plastic, before it begins to break down. Also, many of the big box stores have rolls available at reduced prices in fall and winter; for people with large areas to cover and a little storage space, it makes sense to stock up. Larger agricultural suppliers actually offer rolls as wide as 40', which makes covering large areas much easier (with a few extra bodies to help) and reduces the number of pins needed to hold it in place. In addition to weed suppression fabrics help to conserve moisture and wrm the soil. In some cases, you may need to add a light colored mulch on top of the fabric for crops that prefer a cooler environment, and for aesthetic reasons you may want to top it with a more natural looking mulch as well, With plastic-based mulches, covering has the added benefit of educing he damage done by the suns' UV rays, thus prolonging its useful life. Aside from looks and the whole plastic problem, fabric ground covers can also be a haven for unwanted guests - snakes (which I actually welcome, though many gardeners don't) and rodents in particular. Here is a link that might be useful: Garden fabric...See MoreDatura stramonium to Veggie Patch?
Comments (1)Ha, hallucinogenic veggies. These plants can be a problem but only if the neighborhood kids know to ingest the plant. I can understand your concern though. I would just dig the root ball out, turn the soil well adding some compost and then just plant your veggies. You will then have to watch for seedlings of the plant as they reseed themselves pretty easily. There will be no transfer of the plants chemicals to the soil and any roots left will just compost. Maybe you could relocate your plant to a pot in the backyard. I grow a few brugmansia's which are a very similar plant in pots very successfully. They are such a beautiful plant to have on the patio. _____________________________________________ Check out my veggie garden blog: http://veggiegardenblog.blogspot.com/...See MoreTilling hot horse manure directly into veggie patch?
Comments (8)As you probably know, plant food must become available before your plants can use it. Non-available plant food will not help you. You are on the right track with the manure. But, the plant food in "green" or fresh manure is not available and does not become available until it is released by the decay of organic matters inside. Waiting for manure to rot in soil can be a slow process, especially in heavy or clay soils. You want to keep the manure in a compact built up square heap, not a loose pyrimidial pile. It should be turned from bottom to top and outside in and rebuilt every month, and sprayed lightly with the mist of your hose (not soaked). Make sure it is under cover so it does not wash out. Next year you probably should get your manure in the fall if your going to get it fresh, it needs some time to rot. Only use well rotted old manure in the garden itself, because if plant food is not available it is useless. Jamie Wheeler is the author of "Organic Gardening Secrets", dedicated to helping you grow healthy, pesticide free fruits and vegetables at home without spending a lot of time or money. Here is a link that might be useful: Ultimate Organic Gardening Secrets...See MoreBlueberry farm, weeds and poison ivy
Comments (15)To the OP - I feel for you! My great-uncle died last Aug, and his DD wants my help managing her blueberry patch (he used to do PYO), it's only about 1/10 acre and 1 year and it's overgrown, I can't imagine your fields! A lot of ground to cover, but I think the only thing you can do is mow (I don't know, tilling might spread it more) and mulch thickly - even cover with plastic. How much space between rows? All you have to do is mow it low enough to keep it knocked down, mulch to keep it from getting sun (plastic or cardboard if you can find enough and make sure to overlap the edges would be goo, to keep it from getting rain too). I have a problem with ragweed here, clear plastic seems to work better to solarize it and once the leaves are dead I can pull up the roots. Smothering it with thick wood chips didn't help - tried that in 2012 during drought and the ragweed thrived b/c it kept moisture in! Once you think you've killed the foliage, you can remove the plastic/cardboard and start pulling up the roots - wear gloves! Then I'd put the plastic (try pro-quality landscape fabric) back on, you can mulch then with woodchips so people have something to walk on, hopefully the fabric will keep the PI down. If you skip the fabric it WILL come right back up through the woodchips and you'll have to keep pulling it. If that's too much to handle on 1/2 acre, then constant mowing (and pulling vines if/when they start to climb the bushes) is the only thing to do. At least you don't expect anyone to be out there barefoot, right?...See Morelavender_lass
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