gary davis wrote in message ...
On 5/10/04 6:13 AM, in article
, "SugarChile"
wrote:

Lay down newspapers, about 4-6 sheets thick, in overlapping layers. Have a
hose handy and wet them down as you work to keep them from blowing away.
Then cover with straw, about 6" or so thick. The combination will keep the
ground basically weed free, and will slowly break down so that it is ready
for cultivation in the spring. If you want to put in fall crops in the late
summer, just move the straw aside.

Sue
I have read all the suggestions and all are valid. But I have another
idea and it depends upon how long you will be away.
Plant potatoes....cover with sawdust, straw, so that the potatoes will
eventually be able to reach the sun. When you come home, with a little luck,
you will have potatoes!
I haven't given this a lot of thought but it might just work...
Gary
Fort Langley BC
Canada


this is the best suggestion. No crop is as maintenance-free as
potatoes, and they will shade the ground and help keep weeds down. But
they are not compatible with newspapers. Wood chips are probably best,
straw second best.