..lovely thread and I see people have some nice plots coming along..
I'm thinking of taking over one...this one below...lol..what a mess ! but I expect you've all seen worse... question is...how best to start with this would you suggest? to get the area cleared...? thanks for any advice... I'm wondering whether to pay someone to come in and clear it...I think the plot is about 60 foot by 30 foot..
I have not got a plot yet but would say get a strimmer or sheers to cut the grass down then try and start digging over areas bit by bit when you have dug over a area cover with weed matting or lots of cardboard anything to stop any weeds coming up
If you clear an area there is also green manure's that can be sown on the soil to add organic matter - which you dig into the soil spring time, should help keep weeds away
Salino is that your space or are you hoping to get that bit of space - is there no waiting list
Think when you get a new project like an allotment you do over do it a bit to start with it is the excitement of it all so you do end up with aching muscles
Zoomer like that - lazy allotmenteer, When I get a plot after a bit of hard graft I want a seating area so I can enjoy the allotment I know I don't stop and look at the garden enough here which I should really
hi Gardengirl, many thanks for your advice.... green manure I never thought of that...what a good idea... and we shall get a strimmer I think...if we do it ourselves... I have some weed matting material I can use too.... I shall speak to the council tomorrow and see if I am successful.... it's the only plot on the site I want, so if they offer me any other then I don't want it... lol... we shall see... I hope you don't have to wait too long for yours....this is the time of year to get things sorted out isn't it..
..just saw your other post...yeah, it's that one I want... I don't think there is a waiting list as not many plots are in use and so many are overgrown... which is why I want to pick the one I want...
the best advice I can give you salino is to try and plant as you clear. You can still just about get second cropping potatoes in, and if you can, some pre-planted stuff from garden centres or somewhere like b&q- they've got cabbages, calabrese and purple sprouting brocolli at the mo
Hope you get it, it's the best feeling, seeing your progress
..thank you Fruitcake... I had thought I'd have to wait until next Spring before planting anything... plant as you go, that's a good idea... I admit to being a little terrified of perhaps taking on too much... we shall see..lol..
it doesn't seem sough a huge task if you do it that way. It's just coming up to winter planting season, so you can get some winter onions and garlic in, broad beans as well as the stuff I mentioned previously. You'll get stuff out of it sooner too
I've only got half my plot developed at the moment, but I've got 15 different things growing, and 4 more going in today
Salino , having cleared an allotment all the advise given is good , bit at a time
I would recommend you strim it all down , some of the big weeds I had some 4 feet plus pulled up easily , however , now the boring bit you have to get rid of the weeds , I done a mixture of taking stuff to the local tip and burning , if you are allowed to burn but I have to use one of those dustbins with a little chimney
the most important bit is a seat to have a break and admire what you have done
I just spent the last 2 days at the allotment , most enjoyable , best of luck
Posts
..lovely thread and I see people have some nice plots coming along..
I'm thinking of taking over one...this one below...lol..what a mess ! but I expect you've all seen worse... question is...how best to start with this would you suggest? to get the area cleared...? thanks for any advice... I'm wondering whether to pay someone to come in and clear it...I think the plot is about 60 foot by 30 foot..
Hello Salino
I have not got a plot yet but would say get a strimmer or sheers to cut the grass down then try and start digging over areas bit by bit when you have dug over a area cover with weed matting or lots of cardboard anything to stop any weeds coming up
If you clear an area there is also green manure's that can be sown on the soil to add organic matter - which you dig into the soil spring time, should help keep weeds away
http://mrfothergills.resultspage.com/search?w=green+manure#.U_zSerd0xjo
Salino is that your space or are you hoping to get that bit of space - is there no waiting list
Think when you get a new project like an allotment you do over do it a bit to start with it is the excitement of it all so you do end up with aching muscles
Zoomer like that - lazy allotmenteer, When I get a plot after a bit of hard graft I want a seating area so I can enjoy the allotment I know I don't stop and look at the garden enough here which I should really
hi Gardengirl, many thanks for your advice.... green manure I never thought of that...what a good idea... and we shall get a strimmer I think...if we do it ourselves... I have some weed matting material I can use too.... I shall speak to the council tomorrow and see if I am successful.... it's the only plot on the site I want, so if they offer me any other then I don't want it... lol... we shall see... I hope you don't have to wait too long for yours....this is the time of year to get things sorted out isn't it..
..just saw your other post...yeah, it's that one I want... I don't think there is a waiting list as not many plots are in use and so many are overgrown... which is why I want to pick the one I want...
the best advice I can give you salino is to try and plant as you clear. You can still just about get second cropping potatoes in, and if you can, some pre-planted stuff from garden centres or somewhere like b&q- they've got cabbages, calabrese and purple sprouting brocolli at the mo
Hope you get it, it's the best feeling, seeing your progress
..thank you Fruitcake... I had thought I'd have to wait until next Spring before planting anything... plant as you go, that's a good idea... I admit to being a little terrified of perhaps taking on too much... we shall see..lol..
it doesn't seem sough a huge task if you do it that way. It's just coming up to winter planting season, so you can get some winter onions and garlic in, broad beans as well as the stuff I mentioned previously. You'll get stuff out of it sooner too
I've only got half my plot developed at the moment, but I've got 15 different things growing, and 4 more going in today
Salino - good luck speaking to the council today and hope you are successful
Where about are you?
Fruitcake that is a good idea planting winter veg think they could have lettuce too, going to GC today I will check what I can get for veg bed at home
Enjoy your planting today at the allotment
Salino , having cleared an allotment all the advise given is good , bit at a time
I would recommend you strim it all down , some of the big weeds I had some 4 feet plus pulled up easily , however , now the boring bit you have to get rid of the weeds , I done a mixture of taking stuff to the local tip and burning , if you are allowed to burn but I have to use one of those dustbins with a little chimney
the most important bit is a seat to have a break and admire what you have done
I just spent the last 2 days at the allotment , most enjoyable , best of luck