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 How can we make a start?

For many of you this project will mean starting your garden from scratch, whatever you are growing. If you have lots of weeds on your plot, you'll need to clear them off.

Aim To have a patch of loose, crumbly, weed-free soil to sow and plant in.

In neglected areas you are likely to find a variety of problem weeds. They often have different root systems.

Weeds with taproots (one main root) docks dandelions

Weeds with branching roots couch grass creeping buttercup

 Clearing the weeds

Option 1 - Dig it!

With a fork, dig over the area and remove any weed roots. You'll have to fork it again and again to get out any bits of root that are left behind. If you don't they'll just keep coming back. This part of the job is not very exciting for students so why not try option 2? Once the ground is weed free (as weed free as possible) add fertility-building materials such as garden compost. Decide on the space you need for this summers' crops.

Cover the rest of the area with a light-excluding material (mulch) over the summer. Do this as early as possible for the best effect. Plants grow strongly in spring and summer. This will kill or weaken weeds by excluding the light. Students can use this area to investigate how long plants take to die when light is excluded and photosynthesis cannot take place.

Option 2 - Don't dig it!

Cut down tall weeds and grasses. Then cover the area with a light excluding material (mulch), which will kill the weeds. Good mulches include things that you might normally throw away such as:

• black polythene
• cardboard boxes opened out
• whole newspapers opened out, at least 8 sheets thick.

Some deep-rooted weeds can take up to two to three years to be killed. Don't worry though! You don't have to wait. You can grow plants whilst the mulch is in place. Vegetables that can be planted through the covering include pumpkins, marrows, tomatoes and potatoes.

See the HDRA No-dig Gardening factsheet for more information.

 Investigations for students to try

Whilst clearing your area there are a number of different investigations that students can try.

•	Different types of 'weed'.
	Maths - how many types of weed can students count and identify?
	National Curriculum  Maths • Ma2: 1e, 1f, 2c
	Science - How can they be categorised?
	National Curriculum  Science • Sc2: 4a, 4b, 4c
•	The effect of covering plants and depriving them of light.
	Science - photosynthesis
	National Curriculum  Science • Sc1  -  Sc2: 1b, 3a
•	How long plants need to be covered in order for them to die?
	Science - photosynthesis
	National Curriculum  Science • Sc1  -  Sc2: 1b, 3a
•	Which of the plants grow back first after they are uncovered?
	Science - plant reproduction
	National Curriculum  Science • Sc1  -  Sc2: 1b
•	What type of root systems do these plants have?
	Science - plant reproduction
	National Curriculum  Science • Sc2: 1b, 3c
•	Types of material that can be used to mulch an area.
	Design technology - material properties
	National Curriculum  Dt • 2c
•	Different soil types in an area.
	Science and Geography - soil types and characteristics
	National Curriculum  Science • Sc3: 1d
•	Compare methods of getting rid of different weed types, annuals and perennials. You will probably find that perennials will be more difficult to kill
•	Students should consider how they can keep the area weed free after the area has been cleared.
•	How deep dock roots have to be cut to prevent re-growth.
	Science - plant reproduction.
	National Curriculum  Science • Sc1  -  Sc2: 1b, 3c

Click here if you need help with any of the investigations.
or telephone us on (024) 7630 8238

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