I have just pulled out a heap of ladder ferns and they have left bazillions of bulbs behind. I was wondering if anyone knew how or what I could get to sterilise the soil, as there is no way I could get them all out by hand and don't want them to regrow. Any ideas/advice very welcome!
annies3,
Feb 16, 11:47am
the soil can be sterilized in a variety of ways but is almost always done in controlled conditions such as glass houses, it is possible to use basamid granular outside but this is a chemical method the granuels are worked into the soil then watered well (soaked) then the top is covered by a waterproof airtight seal, left for a period of time then opened and aired well and worked again, I dont know if this would kill the bulblets you describe, then steam can be used but you would need a boiler for that such as commercial growers use to heat the glass houses. not much help sorry.
kateley,
Feb 16, 12:03pm
You could try boiling water, I suppose, but it would kill all the good stuff in your soil, too. I think I would just leave that area vacant and pull up all the new growth as soon as you see it.
oh_hunnihunni,
Feb 16, 12:08pm
Use a sieve or a riddle - just mesh over a frame. Dig a spadeful drop it onto the frame and shake the soil through. It's the way we cleared old beds of oxalis. A little at a time often and it is very effective. Very ecosensitive too!
maclad,
Feb 16, 12:54pm
And not ecosensitive would be to use roundup on the new regrowth. it may take a year or so but does work. The downside is that the ground would have to probably be left fallow for that period, depending on what you plan to plant. Good on you for getting rid of it though, there are many people who just let it go.
awoftam,
Feb 16, 8:11pm
Thanks all; I will use a sieve or dig the whole lot out and start again. Your ideas were worth hearing and I really appreciate them. Cheers.
purplegoanna,
Feb 16, 8:54pm
we're soil sterilization specialist have been for over 27yrs but sadly due to the governments over indulgence of making rules without understanding a thing about what we do or the complications of their decisions the products we use r so highly regulated we no longer can do peoples back yards or glasshouses etc.as above said the organic way is to use a sieve or the chemical alternative is basamid.
steptoesnr,
Feb 17, 7:37am
Turn the area into a feature. Cover with a material such as black plastic or uv resistant shade cloth then cover over with rocks/pebbles/scoria or whatever takes your fancy. Without being able to 'germinate' the bulbs will eventually wither away.
mltg,
Mar 12, 12:19am
I was told years ago that if the it's a sunny area, you could either wait for some rain orwater the area yourself, then cover with a large piece of heavy duty black plastic. Hold the edges down all around with something so as to keep in the heat and with luck things underthe plastic will cook and sterlise the ground, you have to leave it in place for several months. I haven't done this myself but it sounds like it might work. Good luck with which ever method you try.
Since the public registrations are closed, you must have an invite from a current member to be able to register and post in this thread.
Have an account? Login here.