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covering the gardenbbbb

bazabaza Posts: 670
in Problem solving

Hello Everyone

I've recently covered the garden ,with sheets,up for winter but is this worth doing?????

thanks

barry

Posts

  • Dave MorganDave Morgan Posts: 3,123

    It depends what your'e trying to achieve baza. Are you covering for any purpose?

    Weeds will germinate throughout the winter and those under sheeting will lay dormant until you remove the sheeting.

    Winter weather is good for soil as it kills off a whole range of garden pests from unwanted fungus to slugs and snails and their eggs. If you cover the soil it insulates the soil and becomes a haven for all sorts of pests and fungal spores. Soil needs to be exposed really. If your'e just worried about weeds, then weed now by hand, the soils wet and weeds will come up easily. Weeds will set seed even in winter, so getting on top of them now will cut down your weeding next year.

     

     

     

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,136

    I don't like covering soil with plastic.  Far better in my experience to rough dig  then let the frost and air get at it to do their work and let the birds scratch around for any pests that might be lurking there, then spread well-rotted manure and/or compost in late winter/early spring.  image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • bazabaza Posts: 670

    i'm near chester le street edd and judging by what everyone else says i'll take them off and rough dig.

    thanks everyone

    barry

     

  • Woodgreen wonderboyWoodgreen wonderboy Posts: 2,322

    Unless you have a specific reason, uncover.

    I also  find that fleece draped over flowers to protect them from frost can have just the effect you don't want. They get wet, the wet freezes and where they touch the plant, it dies!!!!!

  • bazabaza Posts: 670

    I have to say the reason i covered the garden up was to kill the weeds but the advice i'm getting it's pointless. So they'll be off on Tuesday.

    Best thing i've done is come on this site for all the free great advice.

    thanks again

    barry

     

  • bazabaza Posts: 670

    Hello Everyone

    After i took everyones advice on uncovering the garden i have to say i will never do it again ! Soon as i took the first few sheets off saw a load of RAT HOLES . So i turned the garden with a rough dig hopefully the rats have buggered off but i'll keep an eye on things

    Cheers

    Baz

  • Woodgreen wonderboyWoodgreen wonderboy Posts: 2,322

    Slugs and snails will thrive under cover too...

  • bazabaza Posts: 670

    Was expecting to see slugs and snails aswell but lucky for me there was none.So i was quite pleased with that .

    Wonder where the horrible things are though

    Maybe the rats ate them he he

    Cheers

    Baz

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,887

    and a good frost helps break down clay

    Devon.
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