V Overgrown Allotment!

[jofanning]

Hi, I'm a new allotment owner of about 3 weeks and have the daunting task of clearing my plot of thick very coarse grass!! I think the grass is better than my lawn at home!! Has anyone got any ideas of the best (and easiest) way of clearing the plot? I've cleared half by just digging but would I be able to dig in the grass or is it best to get rid of completely? I'm thinking about putting on Weedol to make the job easier, but am trying to be Organic so am worried about the effects for planting in the Spring. Any help appreciated. Many Thanks

[lozza_9]

Hiya
Well I have had a plot since sept, so not much experience but we had a large area of grass. One of the friendly neighbours recommended digging it over and the grass will rot away. He has been growing veg for 40 years so we took he's advice and it worked very well. We may need to do a little bit of weeding at the weekend with a Hoe but thats it.

This is purely something else has told me, others may disagree.

I also put loads of carpet down aswell but I have found if it already has heavy weeds and grass it takes a while to work.

Good luck

Lorraine

[jlottie]

If you want to stay as organic as possible then digging it in, is your best option. Make sure that it is not couch grass - lots of spaghetti like roots which will need removing. I took my plot on 3 years ago and am now able to rotovate having cleared most of the nasties. Clearing an achievable amount of your plot and clearing it thoroughly will pay dividends later on. Take it easy otherwise you may join a lot of us with sore backs

[nick the grief]

Hey Jo ( sorry couldn't resist the old Jimi Hendrix greeting)

A lot of people have this problem. was the person how had the plot before you organic?

I'd be tempted to compromise a bit & spray with Roundup (Glyphosphate) & then go organic. You'll probably have loads of weeds for the next year anyway with all the dormant seeds you'll disturb but Roundup will make in roads. I appreciate you not wanting to use chemicals but you have to be pragmatic at the start.

I Don't think there is much benefit doing it now as the weeds aren't really growing vigorously enough & you can't guarantee the dry weather for 2 or 3 hours for it to start to work.

Welcome to the vine by the way.

[denise]

Hi Jo
Welcome to the vine.
Got my plot this year, it too was covered in grass. Determided to garden organic, but was tempted with weed killers too, but so far so good.
We dug out 2 beds, removing each and every tiny piece of root, slow job but worth it in the end. just think of each piece growing next season - UGHHHHHHHH horrid thought.

The area we haven't done yet is covered in cardboard to supress the grass, it will dry under there and the cardboard will rot down. Even better if you can get put manure on the top or even just soil.
I am going to organise my plot into beds done this way, only read about it on the weekend, said to be a good way to make no dig beds. Maybe someone on here has wrked this way before? be good to know the resuts.
Cover any bare soil you have to stop air borne seeds finding a new home!

Good luck trust all will grow well, keep us posted.

[jofanning]

Hi
Thanks for the replies, so many!! I will definetely be putting all my questions to you lot!! Not too sure if the previous person worked the plot organically but am tempted to fore go my values and make my life a bit easier and put down some weedkiller, just to give the a little help!! Thanks again. Jo

[jofanning]

Hi
This may sound like a very silly question but where is the best place to pick up old carpet, do you beg and plead at a carpet shop for any off cuts or do you raid peoples skips!! I have read about putting carpet down to suppress weeds and make pathways, but I have to make sure its not foam backed apparently.

[lozza_9]

try the free cycle web site

I got loads of carpet for my allotment.

Just type freecycle in the google search engine and u can find one in your area.

Lorraine

[Lesley Jay]

Can I add a slight note of caution. Carpets can contain chemicals and these can leach out into the ground. There are previous threads on this subject and if you use the search facility you will be able to read them. There is also information on Google. Read it and make your own minds up.

[Earthbabe]

Hi jo and welcome to the vine. You've already sampled what it's like here - friendly, full of advice, tips and humour and occasionally a little weird.

Be aware when planting next year that newly converted grassland is a haven for wireworm which loves nothing more than a good munch on your spuds. Don't let that stop you planting them just don't leave them in the ground longer than necessary.

[Stroppy scotte]

Welcome
Just check you are allowed to put carpet down. It certainly isn't allowed on our site.
Get fit and dig

[Mrs Dobby]

Hi Jo and welcome to the vine, there's a great bunch of grapes on here!

I can sympathise with you about clearing a badly overgrown plot, we got ours 7 weeks ago, and it was 8' deep with weeds! As we too really want to remain as organic as possible we've double dug it by hand, removing as much of the weeds and roots as possible, but it has taken a great deal of hard work, so with hindsight I too would probably follow Nick's suggestion of using Glyphosphate first!

Anyhows, good luck with the plot, let us know how you get on and if poss, post uis some piccies!

[jofanning]

Hi
Have just been to my allotment and noticed that the twine I put round to keep people from trampling on my newly dug bed has been broken down!! I'm hoping that this isnt the shape of things to come, I know they have a problem with little b*!gers vandalising the place!

Have seen that alot of people have made pathways using carpet so can't see thats will be a problem, just need to get myself sorted at get some!!

Just looking at the blisters on my hands and think I will relent and put down some weedkiller, kids, work and a husband cut down my time dramatically, plus I am impatient and want the plot cleared!! Will keep you posted!!!

[ugly gourd]

When i hand out a grassy allotment I tell people not to try and do it all at once you can easily mow some whilst you work the rest but as people have said beware of carpet it can leave plastic threads all through the soil
oh welcome to the vine

[NEWTO THE PLOT]

hi Jo
welcome to the vine and your plot sounds a lot like mine except i have brambles aswell, i have started to turn it over and then covering with carpet so that it doesn't grow back too fast before i get to half the plot. what part of kent are you?