Weeds & Hoeing
Most of the annual weeds spread thousands of seeds that lie in the ground until the elements & conditions are right then they will appear. Turning over the soil brings those seeds to the surface, hence they will begin to pop up all over your allotment garden. Most of these weeds can be dealt with by hoeing through them, leave them to dry on the surface then transfer them to the compost bin. Catching the weeds early is the best way, better to hoe little & often. Make sure the blade is horizontal to the surface then move the hoe back & forth just under the soil surface. This slices the weed off its root & both root & stem die.
Do not hoe in wet conditions, the soil will cling to the hoe & you will end up pushing the weeds back into the ground & not slicing them. The weeds would probably then survive & re-root. There are other weeds that present a bigger problem, these are perennial & live from year to year. As a general rule hoeing them just cuts the tops off & the weed will rise again from its deep roots. I have listed below the perennial weeds, you will have to dig out the roots to stop them coming back.
REMEMBER WEEDS ON YOUR PLOT CAN MAKE YOUR NEIGHBOUR CRINGE
NETTLES, DOCK LEAVES, DANDELIONS, BIND WEED, COUCH GRASS, HORSE TAIL.
Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)
