I didn't really want to use weedkillers, I had read about black plastic and I used to use weed suppressant fabric successfully in my old vegetable garden.
Thank you @Skandi, that was what I wanted to know. Of course, I will be digging out any weeds and removing any grass left. Then I will dig and add compost and manure. As I'm new to this area I will have to buy garden centre manure until I find a supplier. I had horses at my old place so supply wasn't a problem. They were old and died last year, which is why they aren't here now.
@B3, if you'd had a drive and parking area the size of the one at my old place you may have changed your mind about weedkillers! I've downsized, couldn't cope any more, financially or physically.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
@Busy-Lizzie I agree, I don't think I would use weed killer on my "to be" veggie garden. I use mine on the alley ways and borders etc. I too, have a very large property and my veggie garden is huge. I start turning the soil and pulling the nettles in batches of 5m X 3m around early April. (after a good shower). I know there are recipes using Epsom Salts but I wouldn't be inclined to use any salt on ground that you wish to grow on in the immediate future. The solutions are slim to prevent back ache but boiling water on the tough dandelions and thistles could be a start! Good luck!! Tui
@tuikowhai34 Epsom salts are used in solution as a foliar feed to fix chlorotic plants and provide magnesium, not kill weeds. 15ml salts to 5L water.
@Busy-Lizzie I've answered your cardboard problem on the Forkers thread. I have plans to use it more and more here tho it's no use on drives and paths. For those we now use the strimmer, a weed burning gun (only good when it's all brown and dead) and a hoe. Not perfect and not easy but better than weed killers.
Lifting and stacking the turves in a corner will yield good soil in time for topping up beds or potting on.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
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Thank you @Skandi, that was what I wanted to know. Of course, I will be digging out any weeds and removing any grass left. Then I will dig and add compost and manure. As I'm new to this area I will have to buy garden centre manure until I find a supplier. I had horses at my old place so supply wasn't a problem. They were old and died last year, which is why they aren't here now.
@B3, if you'd had a drive and parking area the size of the one at my old place you may have changed your mind about weedkillers! I've downsized, couldn't cope any more, financially or physically.
@Busy-Lizzie I've answered your cardboard problem on the Forkers thread. I have plans to use it more and more here tho it's no use on drives and paths. For those we now use the strimmer, a weed burning gun (only good when it's all brown and dead) and a hoe. Not perfect and not easy but better than weed killers.
Lifting and stacking the turves in a corner will yield good soil in time for topping up beds or potting on.