People are always asking me whether this mulch or that mulch has weeds – and the answer is always yes. Weed seeds are everywhere, but it’s not a real …
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A lot of people over think gardening and feel they have to do it “right” Mulch is mulch and weeds will grow if you have healthy soil. Using what is at hand makes much more sense than having product trucked in. The wind can really wreak havoc with some of the lighter mulches.
Thank you, Greg – that was inspiring, as I work a lot too and then spend too much time in my garden and then with the harvest and then have no time for sleep! That's not yarrow – it looks like broad leaf plantain to me. I've also got sorrel – forests of it. It seems to want to grow right next to the roots of my veggies. Another one you were wondering about (the leaf with the "print" on it) is called lady's thumb.
I started watching your videos last summer and immediately started mulching with grass clippings. I was so impressed that this year I doubled my garden size and have started using hay, leaves, seaweed and grass clippings. Even though I now have 16 4×8 garden beds (and 3 young children) I am doing less work than I have previous years. It’s a no brainer for me, less watering, less weeding and no fertilizing plus all my materials are free. I hesitate to tell people I use hay because I know they will say, “you mean straw right?” with a look of sheer panic. I also added fresh horse manure to nearly all my beds by layering it under the native soil which gets another look of panic. I am so pleased with my garden this year, I wish I had started this process sooner. Thank you for your informative, non biased, straightforward videos, they have changed the way I garden.
The spotted weed is called ladys thumb and the one you called yarro i believe is plantain which is edible one of the healtiest plants(weeds). Love your videos btw.
You know, I don't understand why people are not flocking to your channel to subscribe. I mean, you don't bull shit us, you tell us what you do and why, your plants are 2 – 3 ft tall in July, they look good enough to eat, I don't see much bug damage and I bet you fork out less than 1% of the money that an English garden or most of the gardens on YouTube do. I think your philosophy in life is "KISS". I look forward to more. 🙂
the weed with the black spots i think is called pennsylvania smart weed…the japanese beetles love it so i leave some so they eat it and not my veggies…really nice garden you have there by the way…mine is full of weeds lol…
I also watch Charles Dowding mainly for proof that no dig works, if people watched properly those commenting and unfairly comparing would realise he has reasons for not using mulch. As he has stated himself his winters are not as cold being in the UK and they get more damp weather, using wood or hay gives him slug and snail issues and he has no need to use mulch to keep moisture in so using compost as a mulch is enough. And he does put it on thick like a mulch. He has also mentioned that in order to compost all his gardens he has to bring purchased mushroom compost and horse manure in as he can't even make enough compost. He does weed his beds, he mentions it, and also has helpers to help with the harvesting, which you very seldom see on camera which he has also mentioned. But then he also does not say that he does what he does solely on his own. Your garden is awsome Greg, you work on your own with what you have, in the climate you have, with the little time that you have and the proof of your success is in the pudding or should that be pickles?…potatoes?…parsnips? I can only hope someday to have a garden that provides as much for my family as yours does.
I put 3 new beds in this year and because of what you discussed about mulching last year I heavily mulched my new beds. The results this year are amazing. My veggies are prolific and healthy and I do find an occasional weed. I just pull it and drop it where it was, only on top of the mulch – just like you do. And you're right. It dies in place and becomes part of the solution. I have watered the beds but only a little. The soil is new and didn't have much moisture so some watering was needed but it's been over a month now since I did that – I just haven't had to. The rain has been enough. I stick my finger into the soil and it's still damp under the mulch, just like you said it would be. I mulched with fresh hay. In fact the farmer was haying when I showed up and we took the bales right off his tractor-pulled trailer. Guaranteed the bales were full of seeds but that has NOT translated into a weedy garden. Like you said, as long as the mulch is deep enough, for the most part the weed seeds just can't establish themselves. So when I do weed it's because I'm already out there anyway and I just pluck up the few that I do see. Takes only a minute or 2 and I'm done. Great episode Greg – thanks.
Agreed. Grass clippings is the most readily available mulch for me. Garden beds mulched with grass clippings have few weeds which are easily controlled. Un-mulched garden beds are quickly overrun by difficult-to-control weeds. I never seem to have the time to produce the amount of compost needed to cover all the garden beds. Grass clippings suppresses the weeds effectively and feeds the garden plants. Enjoyed the video!
Quick question. I forgot to start parsnips this year or the seeds didn't take, which is another reason to take notes. Do you think I can start a batch now from seed assuming I can cover them with plastic to extend the season well into early November. I have a bed of sugar snaps that are basically finished and I can start another second crop there. Also can you give an update on sunchokes as I've planted some thus year and I'm curious to compare mine with yours
I think that market gardens are very different places then the auto pilot gardens most of us working folks have. I am thinking about raising a bit of stuff to sell and that would push me to use compost as mulch and flame weed. You seem to mulch mostly in the fall and autumn. Is my impression correct or do you mulch just as much in the summer?
You garden looks great Greg and your system works for sure. In a past comment I said I used straw was mulch but it was hay. In my open field I have hay and grass clippings as mulch and all over my pathways and I haven't had that many weeds which is do nice. In my raised beds i planted things much closer together with some paper in between and once the plants get a good canopy it also reduces weeds. I find that i need compost and ihave so much material it just makes sense to compost. My current batch was as hot as 75 c lasjt week which I've never had before. I do add kitchen veggies scraps to my pile but I just pee on them to keep varments away. I don't have many neighbors and my compost my compost is out if view lol. The main work is turning it every few weeks we which does take time but only 20 minutes.
You can make compost without kitchen scraps. I used hay, leaves and compost in three different planting beds. The compost bed definitely had the least amount of slugs in it. One of your guests Lee Reich uses compost in cold climate. Do you go to CrossFit? It is the second video I saw you wearing a CrossFit shirt in?
I don't know who this Charles D guy is and I don't care, I'm from the UK and I thoroughly enjoy all your videos, you are a dedicated and practical gardener, thank you.
A lot of people over think gardening and feel they have to do it “right” Mulch is mulch and weeds will grow if you have healthy soil. Using what is at hand makes much more sense than having product trucked in. The wind can really wreak havoc with some of the lighter mulches.
Your garden is looking awesome. Thank you for sharing.
I plant vetch as a cover.
Oh, and that plantain leaf can be substituted for kale when making kale chips – delicious and very crunchy. Also medicinal, internally and externally.
Thank you, Greg – that was inspiring, as I work a lot too and then spend too much time in my garden and then with the harvest and then have no time for sleep! That's not yarrow – it looks like broad leaf plantain to me. I've also got sorrel – forests of it. It seems to want to grow right next to the roots of my veggies. Another one you were wondering about (the leaf with the "print" on it) is called lady's thumb.
I started watching your videos last summer and immediately started mulching with grass clippings. I was so impressed that this year I doubled my garden size and have started using hay, leaves, seaweed and grass clippings. Even though I now have 16 4×8 garden beds (and 3 young children) I am doing less work than I have previous years. It’s a no brainer for me, less watering, less weeding and no fertilizing plus all my materials are free. I hesitate to tell people I use hay because I know they will say, “you mean straw right?” with a look of sheer panic. I also added fresh horse manure to nearly all my beds by layering it under the native soil which gets another look of panic. I am so pleased with my garden this year, I wish I had started this process sooner. Thank you for your informative, non biased, straightforward videos, they have changed the way I garden.
Not gonna do the twine trellis this year?
The spotted weed is called ladys thumb and the one you called yarro i believe is plantain which is edible one of the healtiest plants(weeds). Love your videos btw.
I really enjoy your videos and like your approach!
love the philosophy. I spend a bit more time than you. but not much. flawless is silly. find joy in effortless growth 🙂
terrific. right on from braeside ontario
Would love to know what is in each of your beds.
You know, I don't understand why people are not flocking to your channel to subscribe. I mean, you don't bull shit us, you tell us what you do and why, your plants are 2 – 3 ft tall in July, they look good enough to eat, I don't see much bug damage and I bet you fork out less than 1% of the money that an English garden or most of the gardens on YouTube do. I think your philosophy in life is "KISS".
I look forward to more. 🙂
Finally am getting a handle on the weeds thanks to mulching. The weeds that get through seem weak and come out pretty easily.
Your garden is looking very lush.
Love your videos. What you tube set up do you use ie tri pod microphone
Yes even Charles D gets weeds! 😉 I love mulch too, it makes gardening life easier when you don't have the time to spend pulling weeds!!
According to Dr. Elenene Ingham a fungi dominated soil converts nitrogen into sulfate which suppresses weed growth. Your thoughts.
the weed with the black spots i think is called pennsylvania smart weed…the japanese beetles love it so i leave some so they eat it and not my veggies…really nice garden you have there by the way…mine is full of weeds lol…
Love your videos, you do great work, I watch a lot of gardening shows and appreciate yours immensely. Don't worry about the haters 🙂
I also watch Charles Dowding mainly for proof that no dig works, if people watched properly those commenting and unfairly comparing would realise he has reasons for not using mulch. As he has stated himself his winters are not as cold being in the UK and they get more damp weather, using wood or hay gives him slug and snail issues and he has no need to use mulch to keep moisture in so using compost as a mulch is enough. And he does put it on thick like a mulch. He has also mentioned that in order to compost all his gardens he has to bring purchased mushroom compost and horse manure in as he can't even make enough compost. He does weed his beds, he mentions it, and also has helpers to help with the harvesting, which you very seldom see on camera which he has also mentioned. But then he also does not say that he does what he does solely on his own. Your garden is awsome Greg, you work on your own with what you have, in the climate you have, with the little time that you have and the proof of your success is in the pudding or should that be pickles?…potatoes?…parsnips? I can only hope someday to have a garden that provides as much for my family as yours does.
Vetch was just there. Some weeds are so prevalent in the seed bank that they pop up whenever the soil is disturbed.
I put 3 new beds in this year and because of what you discussed about mulching last year I heavily mulched my new beds. The results this year are amazing. My veggies are prolific and healthy and I do find an occasional weed. I just pull it and drop it where it was, only on top of the mulch – just like you do. And you're right. It dies in place and becomes part of the solution. I have watered the beds but only a little. The soil is new and didn't have much moisture so some watering was needed but it's been over a month now since I did that – I just haven't had to. The rain has been enough. I stick my finger into the soil and it's still damp under the mulch, just like you said it would be. I mulched with fresh hay. In fact the farmer was haying when I showed up and we took the bales right off his tractor-pulled trailer. Guaranteed the bales were full of seeds but that has NOT translated into a weedy garden. Like you said, as long as the mulch is deep enough, for the most part the weed seeds just can't establish themselves. So when I do weed it's because I'm already out there anyway and I just pluck up the few that I do see. Takes only a minute or 2 and I'm done.
Great episode Greg – thanks.
Agreed. Grass clippings is the most readily available mulch for me. Garden beds mulched with grass clippings have few weeds which are easily controlled. Un-mulched garden beds are quickly overrun by difficult-to-control weeds. I never seem to have the time to produce the amount of compost needed to cover all the garden beds. Grass clippings suppresses the weeds effectively and feeds the garden plants. Enjoyed the video!
Quick question. I forgot to start parsnips this year or the seeds didn't take, which is another reason to take notes. Do you think I can start a batch now from seed assuming I can cover them with plastic to extend the season well into early November. I have a bed of sugar snaps that are basically finished and I can start another second crop there. Also can you give an update on sunchokes as I've planted some thus year and I'm curious to compare mine with yours
If a garden has no weeds, what is it being sprayed with? I doubt whether Charles Dowding's garden is weed free either.
I think that market gardens are very different places then the auto pilot gardens most of us working folks have. I am thinking about raising a bit of stuff to sell and that would push me to use compost as mulch and flame weed.
You seem to mulch mostly in the fall and autumn. Is my impression correct or do you mulch just as much in the summer?
You garden looks great Greg and your system works for sure. In a past comment I said I used straw was mulch but it was hay. In my open field I have hay and grass clippings as mulch and all over my pathways and I haven't had that many weeds which is do nice. In my raised beds i planted things much closer together with some paper in between and once the plants get a good canopy it also reduces weeds. I find that i need compost and ihave so much material it just makes sense to compost. My current batch was as hot as 75 c lasjt week which I've never had before. I do add kitchen veggies scraps to my pile but I just pee on them to keep varments away. I don't have many neighbors and my compost my compost is out if view lol. The main work is turning it every few weeks we which does take time but only 20 minutes.
You can make compost without kitchen scraps. I used hay, leaves and compost in three different planting beds. The compost bed definitely had the least amount of slugs in it. One of your guests Lee Reich uses compost in cold climate. Do you go to CrossFit? It is the second video I saw you wearing a CrossFit shirt in?
I don't know who this Charles D guy is and I don't care, I'm from the UK and I thoroughly enjoy all your videos, you are a dedicated and practical gardener, thank you.