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Eastern Pennsylvania

I've been reading some posts and it seems I'm not the only one who got more than they bargained for with that truck load of manure this year. Now I have introduced thistle everywhere to the garden and I don't think I'll ever get rid of it. It's like a plague.

Does anyone have some input on what to do next year? The manure I used was well-composted cow manure (local).

Thanks -Jim Gerhardt

8/24/2005 12:58:33 PM

Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

I have quack grass problems that I think came with the triple mix that I put in at the beginning of the season. I have heard that some folks put black or clear plastic over their gardens before the season starts to superheat the soil and kill the weed seeds. I may not have that quite right. But, it's worth looking into.

8/24/2005 1:12:21 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

I have seen a patch that was weed free, the grower wet his patch real good in may, put clear plastic and kept it on moving it back as the plant grew, great solution!

8/24/2005 1:21:34 PM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

If you have thistles, try hitting the patch with Round up after the harvest. You don't need a real strong solution, as any weeds that are weakened by the roundup will likely winter kill. It will work only on green plants and won't do a thing for any seed still in the soil.

8/24/2005 1:26:49 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

I guess I'm a little timid about spraying an herbicide in the areas where I will be planting next year.

Other non-pumpkin growers in my area collect their grass trimmings and create a layer of hay mat in their gardens all summer long. They never have weeds. They grew an AG seed I gave them which took off quick and then died just as fast.

does this provide an opportunity for disease to fester or change the pH significantly? It sure looks appealing to not have to weed! Jim

8/24/2005 2:32:52 PM

Montoursville, PA

Grass that does not contain Weed and Feed residule is fine.
Ground leaves are fine too. Can grind them, in a trash can, with a weed wacker, on a smaller scale. I use old half rotten hay if I can get it about three inches thick. If a weed pops up I just add more hay and tramp on the sucker.

8/24/2005 4:59:38 PM

Montoursville, PA

Round-Up biodigrades in twenty four to thirty six hours. I believe the label says you can plant seed the next day. Those thistles are the dickens to kill. May take two treatments. I get them but I feel the birds bring, in the undigested seed. I never had one, in the garden, that I saw. They are all around the shrubs and related beds that the birds frequent. I assure you I have used tons and tons, of all kinds, of manures including horse, without getting any in the garden or pumpkin patch.

8/24/2005 5:08:26 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

The best time to hit thistle, as with many weeds, is in the
fall. Round-up won't hurt your patch at all, once the season
is done.

8/24/2005 6:35:26 PM

Somers, CT

There is alot of seed in manure. There has been talk on the site of how much N2 is needed each year.

8/24/2005 11:21:12 PM