Re: Turnips to the rescue perhaps

A very long time ago when I was a real farmer, sowing rape and turnips on new plough  was a traditional way of both keeping the weeds down and feeding the sheep through the long winters in the hills. The following Spring, the ground was rotavated and sown either with Giant Italian ryegrass or with a permanent pasture mix. A few annual weeds like redshank and fat hend came up but no perennials. Until I saw this message, I had never given the possibility of "emanations" from the turnips much thought and had just taken their ground clearing potential for granted, the same as any other peasant. Thinking about the wretched things in retrospect though, they tasted so vile that I am not surprised that "emanations" are attributed to them (and to those who regularly eat them!)
 
Anthony
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2004 7:14 PM
Subject: Turnips to the rescue perhaps

In a mail on the 7th January Karen Roberts wrote :
"Well after 10 years, I am left with two triffids, an oxalis that covers several acres here and couch.  Will certainly try the vinegar.  Once again, these are far less of a problem in areas that are heavily cultivated veggie patch and perennial boarders and cause most problems under roses, which requires the crawling around on knees bit."
With reference to the couch grass, whilst listening to our excellent Radio 4 the other day.I heard on Gardeners Question Time, someone who's name I unfortunately missed, say that he had sown turnip seeds after hand clearing couch, and it had completely disappeared and had not returned even a couple of years later. He also said that the turnips had not thrived. He asked for an explanation, however none of the team could offer any, although there was some talk of "emanations" from the turnips.
Anyone out there any experience of this, or willing to try ?
Jennifer

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