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Another couch question
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Posted by Raymondo Armidale, NSW (My Page) on Thu, Aug 18, 05 at 6:25
I've just moved into a place with a yard covered in couch. Already dug a few beds and am trying the 'no dig' method to create a few more. For the no digs I used a thick layer of newspaper - at least 12 sheets, often more.
Does anyone have any experience with this and does it work on couch? Spraying is out so I'll have to dig it all out if it doesn't work. Not something I'd look forward to but will if I have to.Are there any densley matting ground covers that might smother it but be easy to get rid of later? Don't want much, do I! |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Another couch question
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| g'day raymondo, works for me mate, 12 sheets mmmm i use at least around 20 or 30 and up to 40 if there is nut grass. but hey if you put beds about 10"s deep on top and put plenty of say mushroom compost in say 12"s then i don't realy think the cooch will come through. if you don't create a kill zone wider and longer than the beds then the cooch bless its little soul will creep back in unless you keep pulling it out. len mail len lens garden page |
RE: Another couch question
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| Thanks Len. Now I'm worried the paper isn't thick enough! Anyway, most of the beds have at least a 60cm kill zone around them and those that don't, I can soon fix. |
RE: Another couch question
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- Posted by deejaus Melb.Vic. Aust (My Page) on
Thu, Aug 18, 05 at 21:52
Ray,
I have killed it off with as little as 6 sheets, so don't stress about it too much. I found one of the most important things was to have a good overlap with all the sheets.
Good luck,
Cheers,
Dee. |
RE: Another couch question
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I agree with Dee. I only use half dozen sheets or so, just make sure it overlaps. The main thing is to cut off the light to the couch long enough for it to die. Newspaper will last long enough as long as there is no gaps.
Good luck
G |
RE: Another couch question
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| Thanks everyone. Looks like I can relax, sit back and watch my garden grow minus the couch! |
RE: Another couch question
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| I know you said you didn't want to spray, but I have had a similar experience with kikuyu and it backfired on me. I don't know if couch would do the same but here's what happened: The areas that I laid the newspaper over remained weed free for a couple of years, but then the kikuyu started to pop up on the far side (ie it had travelled underground, as much as 10m in some cases!) Also it popped up around the edges. If you are willing to use just a little spray, then I'd suggest you stick to your original plan and hope for the best, but watch the edges of everything really carefully. If you see a little bit of grass pop up its head, don't pull it out - there could be metres of root behind it and you'll probably not get it all. Just paint that little bit with roundup/zero on a small paintbrush, and let it die. In hindsight, if I'd done this, I wouldn't have ended up having to dig so much later! |
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