I've got a large piece of land where I used to grow vegetables, but life has gotten in the way, and I won't be able to use it for at least five years. Currently, the area is completely overrun with weeds, and I've been trying to manage them by mowing it down a few times each year. Cutting it back helps somewhat, but the weeds just keep coming back, and I've have also tried covering them with grass clippings, but it's just not practical for this size of an area. I'm looking for advice on how to keep the weeds at bay without harming the soil or future gardening possibilities. I can't use any chemicals because I have pets and kids, and I can't burn it either. Plus, there's a fruit tree right in the middle that I want to keep healthy. Any thoughts or strategies?
3 Answers
Honestly, letting the area grow isn't a bad idea. You can just mow it like a lawn until you're ready to plant again. But if you want to take it a step further, try covering the whole area with a heavy tarp for a good while to kill off the weeds naturally. It’s a bit of an eye-sore but works wonders by solarizing the ground. Just keep it on through winter until you're ready to use the space again.
You might want to try using thick paper bags or heavy-duty cardboard as a barrier. These can be laid down and topped off with a layer of mulch. The paper stays in place and decomposes slowly, which helps suppress the weeds. You can get those giant leaf bags from stores and they work great for this purpose! If you're okay with a little more maintenance, regular mulch can be used too, just know it might require some raking down the line.
That sounds manageable! I just hope the regular mulch doesn’t turn into a huge mess when I need to clear it after five years.
Consider planting cover crops twice a year to naturally outcompete the weeds and maintain soil health. They’ll help keep things in check while you wait to start your vegetable garden again.
I see how that could work, but having a tarp around would drive me nuts aesthetics-wise, and the weeds are really encroaching on my garden too.