Thanks for all the advice and especially the encouragement. I have been again this evening, and divided the plot up into 4 sections, and started digging up the section with the least amount of weeds and around the blackcurrant bushes, and my 8 yr old (in the piccy looking as proud as punch began pulling up weeds in flower to stem any going to seed.
The good news is that it is not quite as daunting as I thought yesterday, turns out after the mint, the most prolific weed is creeping buttercup and couch grass. Here's a piccy.
The great news is that I have been offered a shed!! My allotment neighbour Beryl, asked her nephew if I could have his shed, as is giving up his plot. So I just need to move it onto my plot asap. Of course that's the tricky part, not sure how to move a shed.
Jimmy, turns out that the allotment is fine with laying of cardboard. I was even offered thick black polythene, which I will use to make a path, between my plot and next doors.
Ceres, raspberry and tayberries, dew soaked grass ... ahhh, perfectly idyllic, that's the picture I'll be keeping firmly in my mind, though the sweat and tears.
Green manure is a super idea thanks Frank. I think I will give that a go this autumn, especially if I hope to clear most of the weeds by then. The soil is weird, not what I'm used to, which is heavy red clay, this is sticky and very dark, but the weeds are loving it.
That shed looks good never moved one before but would suggest that you take pics of how it is put together for reference when you re build
I got a letter yesterday from the council there is allotment plot on offer if I want it, me not sure it is in a mess of very uneven floor and weeds and brambles and rubbish
Gardengirl.Congratulations! It looks huge, how wonderful!
I have seen worst. I suppose you could divide it up, and ignore it the rest and just bash one little section into shape and get something growing. That's what one of the newbies where I am, has done,in just one week, and crikey three quarters of the plot it is pure rubbish including a smashed to bits greenhouse, but at the end they have perfectly tilted soil with neat little lines of spuds in.
Remember Rome wasn't built in a day. Go for it! In a few years you will be chuffed and been thinking yes that was definitely worth it!
Thanks gardengirl, yes I will be there at the weekend, I'm doing 2-3 hours a day, although I was able to do two 3 hours stints with the boys today. It's slow and painstaking work, but little by little Thanks for the link to the thread. (y)
Hi,I would say to get rid of the weeds,use a hoe for immediate results.and everytime you visit the allotment go over it again.leave the weeds where they are,because the sun will kill them off and then you could dig them into the soil.grow the vegetables that you really like first, and then try others.if you can set up a compost bin then do that as well good luck,and get in touch anytime.
Posts
Thanks for all the advice and especially the encouragement. I have been again this evening, and divided the plot up into 4 sections, and started digging up the section with the least amount of weeds and around the blackcurrant bushes, and my 8 yr old (in the piccy looking as proud as punch
began pulling up weeds in flower to stem any going to seed.
The good news is that it is not quite as daunting as I thought yesterday, turns out after the mint, the most prolific weed is creeping buttercup and couch grass.
Here's a piccy.
The great news is that I have been offered a shed!! My allotment neighbour Beryl, asked her nephew if I could have his shed, as is giving up his plot. So I just need to move it onto my plot asap. Of course that's the tricky part, not sure how to move a shed.
Here's a piccy of the shed.
Jimmy, turns out that the allotment is fine with laying of cardboard. I was even offered thick black polythene, which I will use to make a path, between my plot and next doors.
Ceres, raspberry and tayberries, dew soaked grass ... ahhh, perfectly idyllic, that's the picture I'll be keeping firmly in my mind, though the sweat and tears.
Green manure is a super idea thanks Frank. I think I will give that a go this autumn, especially if I hope to clear most of the weeds by then. The soil is weird, not what I'm used to, which is heavy red clay, this is sticky and very dark, but the weeds are loving it.
Caral great pic of your plot
That shed looks good never moved one before but would suggest that you take pics of how it is put together for reference when you re build
I got a letter yesterday from the council there is allotment plot on offer if I want it, me not sure it is in a mess of very uneven floor and weeds and brambles and rubbish
here is a pic
Gardengirl.Congratulations! It looks huge, how wonderful!
I have seen worst. I suppose you could divide it up, and ignore it the rest and just bash one little section into shape and get something growing. That's what one of the newbies where I am, has done,in just one week, and crikey three quarters of the plot it is pure rubbish including a smashed to bits greenhouse, but at the end they have perfectly tilted soil with neat little lines of spuds in.
Remember Rome wasn't built in a day. Go for it! In a few years you will be chuffed and been thinking yes that was definitely worth it!
Raise beds that's could be a way forward, thanks Blue Onion.
Thanks Caral
Sounds a good idea to section off the plot, Good that the person got some spuds planted even with smashed gh glass
Are you planning on going there on the weekend?
You can come chat to other allotment plot holder and ask questions on here
http://www.gardenersworld.com/forum/talkback/new-allotment-omg/220407-74.html
Thanks gardengirl, yes I will be there at the weekend, I'm doing 2-3 hours a day, although I was able to do two 3 hours stints with the boys today. It's slow and painstaking work, but little by little
Thanks for the link to the thread. (y)
That sound brilliant good to do little by little
Hi,I would say to get rid of the weeds,use a hoe for immediate results.and everytime you visit the allotment go over it again.leave the weeds where they are,because the sun will kill them off and then you could dig them into the soil.grow the vegetables that you really like first, and then try others.if you can set up a compost bin then do that as well good luck,and get in touch anytime.