[kermy79]

I know this is very premature but once all my crop has been harvested and my garden becomes waste land i am thinking about preperation and short cuts ect for next year.

I have a rather large weed problem on both sides of my garden path.  It came to my brain that maybe after i have pulled all my crop would it be ok to spread the garden with weed killer.  I was also considering mixing in a lot of compost or fertiliser.  I understand the crop rotation thing.

I am not sure what the hell to do in preporation for next year.  Any advice on weed management and reconditioning the soil after harvesting in readiness fo next year.

Thanks

xxx

[MrRee]

I have 5 beds of 3x5metres. One bed stays overwinter with leaks,cabbage and brussels. The other 4 beds get dug over,covered in about 3inches of compost and then covered with thick black plastic (the type used for damp-proofing). Come March the next year,each bed gets uncovered when ready to be planted,dug over,fed with a general purpose feed and treated for wireworms 2 weeks before the plants go in. Once the plants are in,the bed gets mulched with old straw from the chicken coop. This works for me and keeps down the majority of weeds,what does come through is weak where it's poked through the mulch and easy to pull...... Ree

[hexhammeasure]

weeds are great hen feed......

[doganjo]

Sandy says that too - she goes foraging for weeds for her hens but mine won't touch weeds unless they are roaming in the garden and eating them fresh on the hoof.

[Wellieboots]

once I am king of the world I do intend to ban weeds.

in the interim I would suggest lobbying your local mp as this is something that they might be able to get in on their expenses - weedkiller for constituents etc!

[HappyHippy]

The other alternative to black plastic is to plant a 'green manure', this stops the weeds and adds nutrients to the soil
Check it out here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/soil_growgreenmanure1.shtml
Personally I'd avoid weedkiller as there may be traces of it left when you replant next year - wouldn't fancy that much 

[kermy79]

Thanks for all your advice it has given me plenty to think about and explore for mext year. 

[northfifeduckling]

You've not seen my garden, now that's a weed problem, must post a picture...I am prepared for the next year all year round by covering up areas I want to plant tatties in  or which need to clear soon. I cover with everything these days, old wardrobe doors, carpet, cardboards and grasscut The rest is a race against time, mostly too late for simple weeding, I need a big fork! The birds are greatful for the odd dandelion and chickweed... I'm always itending to grow green manure but the other stuff is always ahead of me. As long as I get food out of it it works...