I recently moved into a new house with a lawn that's not in great shape—it's uneven, patchy, and completely overrun by bindweed. I'm looking to create raised beds with some pathways, possibly made of woodchip or a mix of dirt and bricks, plus maybe a tree or two. Ultimately, I want a small allotment instead of just a lawn. I would love any tips you have to get started! I guess we'll need to cover the lawn to help kill off the bindweed. Also, just a heads up, I'm a total newbie when it comes to gardening. Thanks in advance!
3 Answers
If you want to avoid chemicals, I totally get it! Just be aware that it can be a lot of work. Pulling bindweed out is pretty therapeutic, but it can feel overwhelming. Just keep at it!
I’ve seen some great advice from Charles Dowding on YouTube! He managed to turn a bindweed-infested field into a market garden. He covers the area with cardboard, then adds compost, and if the bindweed is really stubborn, he puts down black plastic for a year. He plants through the plastic holes for crops like squash. After a year of pulling the bindweed, he had great success. Definitely check him out!
That sounds like a solid plan! I’ve seen his videos too, and they are super helpful. Good luck with your garden!
You might want to consider using cardboard to cover your lawn. Lay down 2-3 overlapping layers, then fill your raised beds with bags of compost on top of that. You can also use woodchip or rocks for the paths. The cardboard will eventually break down, making it easier to control that bindweed!
Thanks for the encouragement! I’m ready to put in the work!