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Garden Gate:  Weed Control-help  |
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nampafarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
494 Posts
Kim
Nampa
ID
USA
494 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 18 2008 : 10:34:50 AM
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I am at wit's end. I want to have an organic garden, however the weeds are crazy this year. Its my own fault as I am not houla hoeing everynight, so the weeds got bigger than what the hoola hoe can now do. I am pulling and pulling and frankly dont have the time to stay in the garden after working full time and of course other household responsbilities.
What do you all do for weed control?
I saw a pix in an issue of MJ of some veggies with straw on top of the soil under the plant. I am not sure that would work for my garden as I till it with new compost yearly.
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gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Aug 18 2008 : 10:59:32 AM
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I planted my brocolli then put 2/3 sheets of newspaper down then straw over it. The broc is done And I have one weed in it. I found that the straw alone would sprout and create its own mess but the patch of newspaper straw is weed free. This fall I will just till it in and start over next year. Also it retains alot more water.
But like you weeds are taking over where no straw or paper.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Aug 18 2008 : 11:01:25 AM
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Kim- have you thought about doing Lasagna gardening? You lay down layers of cardboard, newspaper, soil and let it compost through the winter. Then you just plant in your new soil that was produced. Instead of continual tilling which can disrupt worm habitat (nature's natural plow), you let the compost do the work. And since you are continually composting new layers, it keeps the weeds down. You can also lay layers of wet newspaper down around plants, then put light layer of mulch on top= like straw or even grass clippings. This will decompose as the season wears on, so you might have to add more mid summer- but they could be tilled into the ground.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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nampafarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
494 Posts
Kim
Nampa
ID
USA
494 Posts |
Posted - Aug 18 2008 : 11:01:57 AM
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Diana,
Will you remove the straw b4 you till? and leave the newspaper there in the soil?
Kim |
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gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Aug 18 2008 : 11:12:37 AM
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The newspaper is all but gone already and I will till the whole mess in this fall. I have really clay soil so the straw will help to break down the clay.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
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Sandra K. Licher
True Blue Farmgirl
1106 Posts
Sandra
Horseshoe Bend
Arkansas
1106 Posts |
Posted - Aug 18 2008 : 12:00:21 PM
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I'm having the same trouble...I put down 6 inches of cedar mulch and went away for one week and the weeds have taken over and I can't seem to get it back now...I'm still trying but this Bermuda grass I have sends runners and it's just awful!
This part was my flower garden and landscaping in the front and I want to put the house on the market but it looks"abandoned" right now! I'm going back to black plastic! Speaking of I better get out there!
Sam in AR..... "It's a great life if you don't weaken!"
Farmgirl Sister #226 |
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La Patite Ferme
True Blue Farmgirl
623 Posts
Jenn
CA
USA
623 Posts |
Posted - Aug 18 2008 : 2:08:56 PM
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Kim,
I have the same problem - working all day and then a mound of farm chores afterwards. I can literally work outside until past dark. The only thing that has saved me is being really diligent about planting then mulching really well. Since DD shows sheep we always have straw or shavings to use. I also try to cruise the yard and pull weeds when I see them rather than putting it off. And, when all that fails, which it does regularly I call a yard guy I use for projects I can't handle quickly and pay him . I know - not the farmgirl way but it works. |
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nampafarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
494 Posts
Kim
Nampa
ID
USA
494 Posts |
Posted - Aug 18 2008 : 3:40:41 PM
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another complaint: Goatheads! I knwo everything has a purpose, but what is the purpose of that weed?
Kim |
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Contrary Wife
True Blue Farmgirl
2164 Posts
Teresa Sue
Tekoa
WA
USA
2164 Posts |
Posted - Aug 18 2008 : 3:58:54 PM
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Kim, the purpose of goatheads(we had them when we lived in AZ) is to flatten bicycle tires, don't cha know,lol.
I love mulching, it keeps the weeds down and it helps the plant retain water like Diana said. My dh hates mulching because he doesn't think it looks neat and tidy enough. If you mulch with paper don't use the colored sections of paper, especially if you use the lasagna way. Most papers anymore try to use a soy based ink, but there might still be some out there that use the inks with the heavy metals in them. Also if you use the lasagna way try to use the shredded coconut hulls instead of peat moss. Peat moss is a limited resource. I also prefer straw mulch over hay mulch because I have got less weed seed from the straw mulch.
Kim I think your'e experiencing what so many of us do. You have to work off the farm to pay for the farm and by the time you get home you don't have much to give the farm. It's hard. I had raspberries and cherries that I couldn't do a thing with because I work 21/2 jobs. There is only so much time. I try to focus on one thing and tend to it at least 15 min a day, you can do anything for 15 min. I have decided I have to either give a job up or double up on pmts to get everything paid for so I can do nothing but the farm. If I keep the jobs then I have to let the other stuff go until I can give it my attention. You might be younger than me and be able to do more than I can, everyone has to figure out what they can handle.
Warmly,
Teresa Sue
Farmgirl Sister #316
"Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly." The Dalai Lama |
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Garden Gate: Weed Control-help |
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Weed Control-help
