Hi all new plot holder from Birmingham

[Mattyboy]

Hi all I have just got my new plot last weekend after a 2 year wait and I'm very exited to get started only it hasn't stopped raining yet
I think my first job is making a shed so I can a least get out the rain and store my tools.
I've only took on a half plot as at the moment a full plot is to big for me to manage.
I've been advised to cover the plot with black sheeting to keep the weeds down? Until I get ready for digging and planting.
I intend to have raised beds and hope you all could give me any hints and tips you may have. I've had a good look around the forum and seen loads of good advice so please excuse any daft or stupid questions I may ask lol.
I'm interested in growing fruits (strawberries, raspberries) and loads of veg.
Hope to talk and chat with you all soon.

Ps the reason for the raised beds is I've been told some of the plots including mine has horsetail bad and the plot needs spraying with a special chemical and the council will not spray it yet. So I've decided to go the raised bed approach.
I've tried to upload a photo but Carnot seem to upload one


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[Bigmallly]

Welcome to the vine Mattyboy. Save yer money on the plastic & cover the beds with cardboard or newspaper, this will break down & you can plant straight through it.

[Sheneval]

Hi Mattboy - welcome and enjoy

[rustylady]

Raised beds won't do anything to stop horsetail - it will just invade them as well. Best way to keep in under control is cultivation.

[Martin H]

Raised beds won't do anything to stop horsetail - it will just invade them as well. Best way to keep in under control is cultivation.

That would be my approach as well. Dig out as much of the horsetail and other perennial stuff as I can, then plant potatoes in the worst areas. By the time I've harvested the spuds at the end of the summer I'll have it on the run. It won't like all that earthing up etc.

Welcome to the vine!

[RaptorUK]

Hi all I have just got my new plot last weekend after a 2 year wait and I'm very exited to get started only it hasn't stopped raining yet

Ps the reason for the raised beds is I've been told some of the plots including mine has horsetail bad and the plot needs spraying with a special chemical and the council will not spray it yet. So I've decided to go the raised bed approach.
I've tried to upload a photo but Carnot seem to upload one

Hi from Birmingham

My half plot, started Nov last year, also has Horsetail (and Couch grass, Bindweed and I think Ground elder), the best way I have read to deal with it is simple hard work . . . dig out what you can, any that pops up later don't let it see a Sunday . . . meaning, get it out within a week. If you keep getting it out as soon as it comes up it can't photosynthesise and replenish it's energy stores, once they are depleted the plant will die.

I'm not using raised bed at all, I want to make best use of the space I have not cover my plot with paths around the beds.

PS. Please add your location in your profile.

[Tripmeup]

Hi and welcome!!
You will find lots of advice and opinions here...

[veggiechicken]

Welcome to the vine Mattyboy. Save yer money on the plastic & cover the beds with cardboard or newspaper, this will break down & you can plant straight through it.

Raised beds won't do anything to stop horsetail - it will just invade them as well. Best way to keep in under control is cultivation.

Hi Mattyboy and welcome. I agree with the advice above. Save your money and energy

[Hazel at the Hill]

Welcome to the vine, Mattyboy and well done on your new plot!

You can't do anything whilst the weather is so vile, so you might as well look round here and do some planning. Remember not to make your beds more than about 4' wide so you can reach into the middle without stepping on the bed.

Bigmallly's right - go for cardboard and not plastic to cover the areas that you can't get round to straightaway.

Also, check with the your committee about shed restrictions - we come under B'ham (although we are self managed) and the main tenancy agreement has size restrictions on the shed (although it's quite big), and there are restrictions on our particular site with regard to positioning on the plot (at the back of the plot for full plots, along the middle line for half plots).

[Mattyboy]

Thanks guys I've still a lot to learn so I will be looking on this site for all the answers
The cardboard sounds a good cheeper idea than plastic so thanks for that.
I still intend to have some raised beds for my strawberries but not to many.
I think il do as suggested and try and keep the rest of the plot clear of horsetail by digging as much of it out as posable and keep it under control.
Thanks everyone for your input.
I've tried to put my location in on my iPad but i seam to be doing something wrong lol but il try again.




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[rustylady]

You must have done it right Matty, location is showing on your post

[Glutton4...]

Hello, and welcome to the Madhouse!

[Florence Fennel]

Hello and a very warm welcome to the Vine

[HearTheDark]

Hello fellow brummie!

[Mr Bones]

Hello and welcome
Horsetail likes acidic soil so maybe garden lime or a dusting of wood ash will help too.