WEED MAT

 Regular readers can't fail to have noticed that we have used weed control fabric in a big way this year but we have still had some beds uncovered.

Where we have used the fabric it has certainly made a big difference. Some weeding has been necessary in the beds where fabric has been used. Weeds still grow around the edges of the bed where the fabric is tucked into the soil and also in the 'trenches' where plants such as onions and carrots are growing in slits in the fabric rather than individual holes.

It doesn't take too long to tidy this up especially after a spell of rain. 

Compare this, however to the weed growth on a bed where the fabric wasn't used. After the short spell of recent rain the three sisters' bed was disappearing under a duvet of weeds. These was mainly fat hen, groundsel, chickweed and sow thistle, all of which take over an area at the speed of lightning given the right conditions and half a chance. Not only did the rain trigger the weeds into growth but it also suspended any hoeing which had been keeping things in check.

I removed a barrow full of weeds from this bed as you can see in the photo on the top right of the collage below.

Now compare this with the bed of recently planted leeks. 

These have been left untouched since they were planted out and have really perked up now. Without the weed control fabric the young leeks would have disappeared under a sea of weeds and probably have ended up being accidentally uprooted as we weeded. They would also have had to compete for moisture, nutrient and light with the more vigorous weed growth.

The French beans below were planted on the same day as the three sisters' bed and have required no weeding at all.

These brassicas haven't needed weeding since they were planted.

Next year we will be using even more fabric. I remember someone saying they used it on potato beds which is something that we will be trying next year!