I can't lie, it was easier than it looked. Ever since I started doing "no til" the weeds just come easy, except for dandelions. Thank you though, it was gratifying to get it done.
@Nerdmom: Can you describe the "no til" method? I have heard several people say it and I admit that I do not know how that works. Is it when you put newspaper down and soil on top?
@ClenramYes, that's one way of starting it. The newspaper, usually combined with cardboard suppresses weeds, which in turn negates the need to till. Then on top of that people will layer alternately compost, soil, and amendment (rock dust, lime etc.) and finally a layer of mulch. If you do it in the fall you want to layer higher as it will break down more over the winter. In the spring or summer though you can get away with 6 inches of material. Then you make a little hole and plant what you want. The next year, because the soil hasn't been compacted, you can just pull out the weeds by hand, and they pop out, sometimes as easy as the plants you want to grow. Also, weeding provides light tillage, which makes it easier to sow or plant the next thing.
It's a quick way to build tilth in your soil and grow even if your existing soil is poor. Also, you need less fertilizers because of the combined nutrients in the compost and mulch.
Add your comment here