Rotavate, weedkill then cover or weedkill, rotavate, cover?

[bobkate]

Hoping to get some advice on how best to clear this area. It was turned over back in november and we stupidly didn't do anything with it then. So now, all the remnants of grass is sprouting back, plus the ground elder...
We have bought some weedol ultra tough weed killer and plan to set about it next week. What I'd like to know is how best to go about it.
Should we rotavate it all first, then weedkill it or weedkill then rotavate it?
After that we think it would be best to cover in plastic sheeting for a few months to prevent further growth until we are ready to sort it properly. We have brought some thick plastic damp proof stuff, but now I"m wondering what is better...that or something like this weed membrane stuff? The plastic sheeting won't let any water through, but I'm worried about it puddling on top...but is the membrane stuff better even if it does let the water through?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

What do you ultimately plan to do with it? Is it a veg patch or going to be a lawn?

It will be mainly lawn with a small area of patio in front of the blue stripey shed.

We did chemical first, then mechanical. Definitely weed membrane, not waterproof plastic. Might also like to dig in, or at least spread, some composted manure before covering with the membrane, followed by bark chippings over the membrane. Next year you will have excellent soft soil.

When you're ready to plant, you can either strip back the membrane as you plant, or cut through the membrane to plant individual plants.

The bark chippings keep the membrane from being blown around, and also look nicer than bare membrane.

Thank you jellyslice do we have to leave it a year?

)))))weedkiller(((((
))))Rotavators(((((
Old carpet is your friend
no need to pollute the soil with anything nasty

I had read to not use old carpet...plus haven't got any. Just googled weed control fabric and it's working out v expensive for how much we'd need . I understand the point at not polluting the soil, but the ground elder really is everywhere and we just need to blitz the whole thing. Really I would love for someone to come in with a digger and dumped trick. Remove the offending soil and replace with beautiful topsoil.....but that is a pipe dream!

Dumped trick??!! Dumper truck!

I've read in various places not to use old carpet either.

Old hessian backed carpet is fine
its the plastic shite to avoid

gound elder does not cope with mowing
so lawn the area

Thank you. I don't fancy removing old mouldy heavy carpet after we're done with it either, so would prefer the sheeting.

You don't need to leave it for a year, thats just what we did. Our soil was dreadful: hard, with no earthworms, just weeds. A year later, when I was ready to start planting, we had lovely, soft, earthworm-rich soil.

When do you want to make your lawn? And do you want to seed or turf it? I dont know much about starting lawns from scratch, but I'm fairly sure they're better started in autumn than in spring, which gives you six months to prepare the ground. 6m might not be long enough for the earthworms to take manure down, and you might have to dig it in, rather than leave it on the surface.

Thanks Jelly I would think the autumn would be about right for us to start. Depending on what budget is left from our build will determine if we turf or seed!
Great idea about adding the manure. Thanks again.

If you weedkill with a good total weedkiller allow it to work and for the soil to be clear of any residual trace of chemicals, I always reckoned six weeks before sowing grass seed. rotavation, levelling and consolidation is important to the long-term levels of the lawn, so ensure you heel and rake a couple of times. Aim to sow in September, this will allow good germination and establishment before winter. Choose your seed mix according to what you want the lawn for. Kids play area=dwarf perennial ryegrass. High standard ornamental lawn= fescue/bent. Seed will cost pence/m2, turf pounds.

That sounds great - thank you onesmall appreciate the tips. We have kids and dogs so I'm guessing dwarf perennial ryegrass will be our choice!