Muggins here forgot his phone and left it at home, so no piccys today. However I did finally finish clearing the Sweetcorn bed, as well as two more spaces for Courgettes. I made a start into clearing the pathway between those beds and the woodchip/manure bays as well, but I was soundly defeated by the shear mess of couch grass roots.
Last year I put down newspaper and wood chip in an effort to counter the invasion. I have now come to the conclusion that it is just not worth it. The couch grass roots are still there. They kept on growing sideways rather than sending up shoots, and now, about 10cm down, is just a huge network of interlocking roots that it's like a mat. Trying to break through is almost impossible and is definitely back breaking. The use of woodchips is definitely recommended though as they gradually break down into good compost and hold a large amount of water in times of drought. More than that they offer a good home to fungal growth which works wonders on the produce.
But probably the biggest reason is that they do not compact so much in the London Clay soil and just a little loosening with a garden fork allows you to get at any rhizomes buried underneath. I think this will be the only way I'll be able to get rid of the dreaded scourge. Albeit with continuous action.
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