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- I never “fluff” the straw always put it on thick.
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- Placing either small squares or large squares of straw on by the slab, over the top of the cardboard, keeps the weeds at bay, as soon as I’ve mulched I always give it a good water to “set” the straw..
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- Dirty wool insulation and shredded wood are placed on top of old newspaper sheets to help suppress weeds—an effective growing tip inspired by May Growing Tips for healthier gardens.
Oh my goodness, I don’t think any of us need any tips on growing weeds this year! It has been, without a doubt, the worst 12 months for keeping on top of those unwanted plants that just seem to pop up everywhere. As our daughter Samantha wisely said, “Mum, you realise that if you leave those weeds that are about to drop their seeds, you’re adding another 5 years of weeding!” Well, thanks for that encouragement, Sam! Needless to say, I’m doing my best to pull out as many as I can and still offer some advice along the way!
Right now, I’m getting ready to blanket mulch again with cardboard and pea straw, aiming to tackle the worst offenders—stinging nettle and deadly nightshade in particular. If you’re in a similar boat with weeds taking over, now’s the time to get on top of them. We’ve had a lot of rain lately (unprecedented amounts, really), and while it’s great for the garden, it also means a more productive time for weeds! The heavy rain is creating a nice moist environment for the plants roots, with the cardboard and pea straw creating a nice bed on top, protecting the roots from the hard frosts we will be getting. But most importantly stopping those jolly weeds.
Weed growth usually slows down during the Autumn, but this year they’re on a mission to prove me wrong! That’s why I’m going full-on with a suffocating technique—laying down cardboard and pea straw to block the light and stop the weeds from germinating. And as I’m doing this around the base of my older plants, I’m also giving them a good sprinkle of slow-release fertiliser to keep them strong and healthy.
For those of you in the country, a fage full of dags is a brilliant form of mulch as well. Heavy layers of wool provide the perfect insulation for the base of the plants over winter, with the added sheep dags as a bonus round of fertiliser which is perfect for the garden. A nice way to clean up the odds and ends in the shearing sheds.
If you have any other ideas or tips for weed suppression, I’d love to hear them! It’s one of those ongoing garden challenges that we all face, and sharing what works makes it a little easier for all of us.
So, as we all brace ourselves for the colder months, make sure you’re staying ahead of the weeds and keeping your plants happy. Here’s to less weeding, more gardening, and hopefully some drier days ahead!