Starting a field from poor quality soil

ConnWin

Active Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2024
Messages
17
Location
Kyoto
Climate
Temperate (all seasons)
Hi all, as I’ve mentioned elsewhere I’ve been working on setting up a field opposite my house in Kyoto.
The ground leaves a lot to be desired. We are also at the top of a hill, and I don’t drive so can’t easily get stuff.
But I’ve been slowly cutting down weeds and raking to even the level out.
In the back there has been a huge amount of tsurukubi kabocha (I believe it’s called crook necked squash in English) that has had vines all over the place, me and my wife have been working on gathering these all up into one central pile to eventually compost.
On top of the that I’ve also been been dealing with this awful weed roots. I believe they are called mile-a-minute vine or something to that effect. They are deep, thick, and long, I’ve pulled out some as long as a metre or more and they criss cross all over the field annoyingly.
So for now my plan is to cut down any weeds above surface level, dig out any easy to spot root stumps, and to cover as much surface as possible with cardboard with the aim to buy in a load of compost to start planting stuff in February/March.


Starting a field from poor quality soil


Starting a field from poor quality soil
 
You can layer that cardboard on thick like 4 layer too and just add everything on top mate, those roots look like a real demon to deal with how deep are they? They would take years to break down if they don't regrow definitely don't envy that!
 
Oh wow! Those roots look horrendous.
I agree with Britztank and worry that if they get dug in, they might regrow. Depending on the weed. If your area allows, I'd recommend burning them and using the ashes in your garden instead.
 
You can layer that cardboard on thick like 4 layer too and just add everything on top mate, those roots look like a real demon to deal with how deep are they? They would take years to break down if they don't regrow definitely don't envy that!
Anywhere from a few cm to 30cm (which is as far as I’ve gone down, could be more below though, don’t know).

Not sure about burning stuff. I think my main goal is to smother them rather than keep trying to dig them out.
 
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