New to the forum

[Starch]

Hi everyone, recently signed up so thought I would post a an introduction.
Recently retired as a construction surveyor and have been subscribed to GYO for several years.
I have a 1.7 acre overgrown plot which used to have a lot of folk tending to it but most have lost interest over the years.
The last two have just been given shiny new plots as part of a new development in their village so I now have the whole plot to myself.
I have a section I concentrate on about 20m x 7m which is mostly 2m x 1m raised beds + 5 0.5m x 3m boxes, 2 homemade greenhouses and a 3m x 6m polytunnel which I am just fitting a new cover as the last one was vandalised 2 years ago and the repairs were on their last legs.
At the bottom of the site there is about a 50m x 10 wide willow plantation which has been left for some years so needs some attention.
There are 2 sizable plots that have just been abandoned which I have partly covered with fleece, gc fabric and old carpet + a further area about 8m x 40m mostly weeds etc.
The rest is covered in brambles, nettles and blackthorn. Any suggestions on how to proceed? Sorry for the lengthy 1st post.

[veggiechicken]

Hi Starch and welcome to the Forum.
I'm not sure whether to be envious or relieved that I'm not the sole occupier of a 1.7 acre plot!! Sounds like quite a challenge. Are there any community groups that might be looking for a place to grow?
Could you diversify - keep chickens perhaps?
Good luck!

[lottie dolly]

Welcome to the forum starch,the main thing is to cover up the ground to suppress the new growth,if its cut maybe use it as a thick mulch on an area,again it will help with the weeds and put goodness in the ground,sounds like a lot off work,good luck with it.

[Starch]

There are chicken pens and coops on the site where we used to keep chickens when more people were involved but the blackthorn has now retaken them. Have tried getting more people, had a couple of takers but when they saw how overgrown it was they didn't come back, thanks for the input.

[veggiechicken]

Who owns the site? Is there a risk that, if not maintained, it could be sold for development?

[Guest]

Hi and welcome.

That is a very big space, I think the big question is what do you see it as/being in the long run? (somewhere to just grow a few things, a community space, somewhere to turn a profit or just somewhere to keep tidy)

If it is just being overgrown that keeps people away then maybe it is time to chat up a farmer

[SarrissUK]

If you want others involved, I'd suggest you speak with various organisations that deal with elderly, homeless, those out of work, volunteers, gardening groups etc. You might be able to set up a social enterprise that can apply for funding to clear things up and help rebuild together

[Bren In Pots]

Hello and welcome to the vine Starch. A plot that size is some undertaking to do on your own, hopefully you'll be able to find some one to give you a hand.

[Jungle Jane]

Hi Starch,welcome to the vine as people are put off with the overgrown plots,you could hire a gardeners help to clear the plots a bit,make it a bit clearer for them?

[Can the Man]

Hi Starch and welcome to the vine, I wish you luck with your endeavours it sounds like you have your work cut out for yourself

[Nicos]

Hi there, and Welcome to the Vine
Just a thought...on our first site (council owned) one of the guys kept a couple of pigs. They did a beautiful job of clearing and manuring their area. Certainly something worth considering!

[Starch]

The plot is rented from a village council. It was formerly a smallholding and when the owner died, having no family he bequeathed it to the council on the proviso that it was not to be built on. We did have the council complain some years ago because some people were using as a dumping ground and we had to get rid of the rubbish. It is fairly secluded as the willow trees and a hedge hide it from the road and for a lot of the year the unused part is just a mass of long grass, cow parsley and nettles so looks ok and is great for wildlife. Thought I might use one of the recently vacated plots as a wildflower meadow and the other as a pumpkin patch. The site access isn't great and very wet at present so I am having to park outside to avoid getting stuck, so not very user friendly for groups in the winter.

[Guest]

Such a shame when there isn't village support and it is getting late to budget some funds from the council. I don't suppose they automatically allocate anything each year to running the site?

So far you have mentioned overgrown/clearance, access and parking to the site, security and advertising. The council may not be able to physically help but they certainly have the power to help financially. If they answer it is a small village they can't justify it - wack them round the head for me please.

All I can suggest is trying to get weekend working parties and entice people with bonfires, jacket potatoes and cake. It is a start on getting the site known, labour to clear and building the community.

Good luck and keep us updated how you get on.

[Snoop Puss]

Hello and welcome.

My first thought was livestock. Not pigs but goats or a donkey or two. They'll need stabling for winter, which would be a problem. But they'll eat absolutely anything...

Good luck. Let us know how you do.

[veggiechicken]

Where I live, there are a lot of community gardens where people who may not want the commitment of a fulltime allotment are happy to work together for a share of the crops - and to gift them to others.
Maybe a community orchard? Use the willows for basket weaving?
It needs a few people with a grand idea and some muscle to get it underway and, of course, you would have to be happy to be part of it.
This may help you https://www.farmgarden.org.uk/about-us