Resources for newbie in Manchester- inc source of black plastic sheeting?

[chorlton_wheelie]

Have just taken over a whole plot in Streford which is currently covered in dandelions.

So, I need to get these cleared asap and get cracking. Any ideas on where I can get hold of the following (for minimal cost obviously):

Plastic?
Decided to tackle half at a time and would like to cover up the other half until I have the time/can rope in some help - where can I get large sheets of black plastic from.

Timber?
Similarly anyone know a local(ish) source of recycled/salvaged timber for bed edging - or had any dealing with local scaffolding firms that are happy to sell off boards that have come to the end of their life.

Barrels?
For water butt - seen some large food drums on ebay for about £15 (inc del) - anyone found any petfood/food supplies selling em off locallly

Any suggestions gratefully received

[nick the grief]

My God, some one else who can remember Chorlton & the Wheelies !!!!

Welcome to the Vine.

For black plastic, try some local farmers see if you can get hold of the stuff they use to cover the silage pits with.

You could always give the weeds a blast of roundup especially as it's going to be nice & dry for the next few days, that will buy you a bit of time.

As to timber, try yellow pages for the local scaffold firms you may hit on one. They can't use the boards if they are split for Health & safety reasons.

Water butts no Idea.

Best bet is to go up to your plot & ask around up there, you'll be suprised how helpfull people are. Afterall, it's in their interest that you don't fail else they get the weedy plot back!!!

here hads been quite a lot of debate on the subject here recently but Old ccarpets may be another source of ground cover - depends how you & your plot feel about it.

Hope this helps

[nick the grief]

Another Idea. for one half of your plot if you can get some black plastic.

Spray your weeds. Cover with Cardboard, put compost or well rotted muck on top of this plavce some spuds on this cover with plastic. When they start to grow cut the plastic carefully to let the leave thru.

Plastic & cardboard will smother the weeds, carboard & Muck will break down & get taken into the soil by worms. When you want spuds roll back enough plastic lift them & then cover back up to exclude the light. End of the year, half a clean plot !!! Then you just turn the rest of the muck & soil in & leave to weather ofver winter

[mbj]

Hello

I've just started a very disused plot and it's a bit daunting isn't it. My dad had a lot of old tarpaulins used to cover loads on lorries so I've used those. I did have carpet before then, which I know is controversial with some and in an ideal world I probably wouldn't use them, but needs must and if finances are pushed and you have no other viable alternative, I think a plot covered with carpet is better than a plot going wild. If you do go for carpet begged and borrowed from friends and family it may be best to check with other plot holders because I read on here about an allotment site that didn't allow carpet because it didn't look very nice .

[plot 11 pam]

dear chorlton wheelie,
Barrels, try contacting a local industrial laudry outfit or if there is a hospital laudry near you, ask for tha manager and see if they use the big blue barrels of fabric conditioner, they are usually glad to off load them as long as you tell them what they are for. wash out well and cut off top with a jigsaw, fit a tap at the base and raise on bricks to access water. hope this helps

[andrewo]

Hello there little old lady,
You can get black plastic from Gordon Riggs at Rochdale, I bought three packets and covered half my plot and it was relatively cheap.

[chorlton_wheelie]

Thanks everyone, I'll let you know how I get on