Hi new allotmenteer from kent uk

[stevekentuk125]

Hi my names steve from kent and recently got a rather overgrown allotment so will probably be asking a few questions in the coming future. I got a years free rent because of the fact it needs attention so this year not planning to grow anything just prep it ready. I plan on growing fruit bushes , potatoes , runner beans, tomatoes, leeks, cabbage and strawberrys and maybe a couple of small apple trees. Also want to put in a little wildlife pond which will be great for my son when he gets older and want to make a fish smoker as i go sea kayak fishing and thought it be great to work on my allotment and smoke a few mackeral etc for lunch :-) Having trouble digging it in places at the moment as the grass is thick and matted and hard to get the spade through. Dont want to spray it either.

[veggiechicken]

Hello again Steve, and welcome

[rustylady]

Hi Steve, welcome to the Vine.

Could you add your location to your profile please? Then it shows up on your posts.

We need pictures of your plot too - just cos we're nosy

Seriously though, don't give up on planting this year. Get hold of some thick cardboard (electrical packaging and bicycle packaging are good) to cover some or all of the plot. You can plant through it and it blocks the light from the weeds and will weaken them.

[stevekentuk125]

updated profile, here is a pic of what it was like although i cleared two van loads of rubbish and plastic sheeting before taking the pic where people decided to dump there unwanted stuff on the poor little patch :-( Its 5 rods in length thats all they had available. i plan on digging the lot over then rotorvating it (think the allotment lets you borrow rotorvators) then taking out the pallett composter and constructing my own 3 compartment one. Then maybe some raised beds and a little wildife pond with frogs :-) fruit cage, walk in runner bean wooden frame, and of course some potatoes and veg/strawberrys etc Also a fish smoker but i need to find a few ideas on how best to make one first. I will add more pics on my progress. there is a strawberry patch there already which i will dig round for time being. The previous occupant decided to put fleece and gravel down which i dont want its hard work trying to pull it up as its all covered in gravel and thick matted grass in places but i will get there :-)

[rustylady]

If you're digging you don't need to rotovate as well. What would be the point?

[stevekentuk125]

Someone on the allotment said about it they said turn the soil over first then rotavator it to split the soil into smaller bits? Is this not the case?

[stevekentuk125]

the soil is very clayey to

[rustylady]

You'd be doing the same job twice. If you dig using a fork you can get the grass roots out and also break the soil up a bit.

[stevekentuk125]

okay thanks for the advice

[Bren In Pots]

Hello and welcome to the vine Steve

[veggiechicken]

If you have couch grass or bindweed on your plot, rotovating chops the roots and each little piece can regrow. By digging and pulling out the roots, you clear the plot.

[stevekentuk125]

thanks bren and yes i was reading about that in my book i know i havnt got bindweed by sight but not sure if i have couch grass as grass all looks the same to me at the moment

[veggiechicken]

Couch grass has long white roots Couch grass / Royal Horticultural Society

[marchogaeth]

Croeso i'r Vine.

[Scarlet]

Welcome Steve, lovely size plot there.