So sad - need advice

[chixilixi]

[FONT="Verdana"]Hi, I haven’t posted on here before but I am hoping that one of you wonderful, kind and knowledgable grapes will give me some advice please.

I was offered my 5 rod allotment back in February this year after only being on the waiting list since September 2008, and was told that I wouldn’t have to pay rent until April 2010 as the plot was overgrown. Slight understatement The 12-15 ft high brambles were so dense I couldn’t actually stand on any part of the plot, only on the paths around the edge. Anyway I set about chopping down the brambles, to find that most of the inside of the plot is covered with Hawthorn and Oak trees. Some Hawthorn I managed to cut down but on the 20ish feet I have cleared there are still 12 or so trees, as well as a cherry plum tree and a huge grape vine (I was thrilled with these).

As I work full time, I have been going to the lottie at the weekendsand some evenings, and it has been a very slow process without anyone to help me. As mentioned, I have managed to clear about 20-25 ft of brambles and burnt them on a huge bonfire. I then sprayed the remainder with round-up, covered with tarpaulins and left the beasts to die for a couple of weeks or, so I thought.

Three weeks ago I received a “Notice to Remedy” my plot as it was in a “neglected condition”, and they gave me ten days to start cultivating

One of the other plot holders had previously told me he thought my plot was the worst on the site (90 plots) and hadn’t been used for years before I got it, and judging by the size of some of the trees I think he’s right! I called the council and they kindly decided to give me a month instead of ten days to get the plot into use!!

Anyway yesterday I hired a rotavator for the weekend which was delivered this morning, - I thought that if I rotavated it would be easier to pick out the thousands of bramble root pieces than dig them out, as I am not strong enough. This turned out to be a complete waste of time and money, as well as not being able to lift it out of the car, I wouldn’t have been able to get it on to the site as it needs to be lifted over the metal fence, and even if I could have done, there are too many trees in the way to get a clear run with it. I honestly had no idea it would be so heavy!

Now I feel so desperate, as next week my month is up, I am no further forward with clearing the plot and 50 squid down with the hire of the rotavator that is still in the boot of my car. I have nobody to help me and I cant afford to pay anyone to clear it. I love it there so much, especially as I live in a flat with no garden of my own – it is my special place iykwim. I just don’t want to lose my lottie. Can they really take it away from me after five months as its not yet in use, if I was given it for a year rentfree?

I’m sorry for such a long post, I but I am so upset I actually cried this afternoon

I was going to call the council on Monday to tell them I can’t clear it so they can give it to someone who can! Am I just being a wuss, or do you think the council are being unfair? Any advice welcome please.

Chix xx

[Two_Sheds]

you've had it for 5 months?
I had mine half-cleared and planted up within 5months. On my own, no help. Brambles, couch grass, bindweed, the lot. I'm not superwoman, but I went up there every evening to clear it, in the freezing cold, a little bit at a time.

Cut the topgrowth (I had secateurs and a handsaw)
Stack it, dry it, burn it.
Dig out the roots - this is the hard bit. You need a digging fork & a little saw to get thru the roots
As soon as a patch is clear, plant it or cover it.


Perhaps this plot is just too much for you, and you may never get on top of it? If so, have a hard think and perhaps you need to apply for something easier to manage?

[butter fingers]

point out the condition of the plot before you took it over and suggest that perhaps the council should have cleared it first if they are that worried about how it looks. it cant look worse than when you took it over because that is what it will return to if you give it up.( obviously others were offered it first but rejected it because of the state it was in, you need to explain this because i doubt the council officials realise this.).
another option is perhaps they would let it as a half plot,one half to you one half to the next on the list. or even try to find another person where both of you could take it on.think on these lines first of all,its worth trying.

[Pies]

Don't try to clear the whole plot,its easier to do in bits.So clear an area and plant it,then move on to the next bit.cover the areas you wont get to plant this year to stop further weed growth

HTH

[Seahorse]

That does sound a bit harsh Chixi - we can't all be Superwoman, eh!? I suspect the council can do what they like really but if you can get to speak to a 'real person' (not just someone on a switchboard) and explain your full circumstances, maybe with pics of what you've done, if you have any, then I hope you'll get a more sympathetic answer. Good luck!

[Hilary B]

If it has been abandoned for ages, they are being a bit unfair demanding that it be cleared between Feb and now.
Can you get something planted on the spot where you had your bonfire? That bit must be clear, so tell the council you are clearing it 'a bit at a time', and show them something growing in that small part, then get another bonfire going a little way away.....

Slash and burn has worked well in some parts of the world for millenia......

[chixilixi]

Thank you so much to everybody who posted constructive replies, they are so much appreciated, especially as I was so nervous about posting here with all you experts – I have never been fortunate enough to own even a window box before!! Although I do now have a tiny (2ft x 3ft) patch of my mothers front garden in which I have courgettes, dwarf yellow French and runner beans growing at present, I ate my first ever home-grown baby courgette and French bean today and they were absolutely delicious! Thats why I am so sad at the prospect of losing the lottie, I have the bug

I did explain to the lady at the council the condition of the plot when I took it over, she said she had inspected it, but that she hadn’t seen the tarpaulins, the incinerator or the huge patch where I had the bonfire (they are unmissable), so I don’t know how she missed what I have already done.

Would anybody have any advice on how to get rid of the 15ft + trees without a saw (budget has been spent on the unused rotavator)? And on the best (cheapish) weed killer to kill the bramble roots and tree stumps that I could pick up from B&Q in the morning?

I have pics of when I first took on the lottie but cant transfer them off my phone, so I was planning to take some more tomorrow with my other camera and will try to post them then.

The patch where I had the bonfire is slightly clearer than the rest apart from a few tree stumps that got burnt to a cinder, would it be ok to transplant a few of my PSB and cabbages to that spot do you think?

Chix x

[Snadger]

You don't list your location but if it had been anywhere near me I would have rotovated it for you for nowt! It isn't the height of tree that matters it's the girth of the trunk...............if they are just saplings chopping through the roots on four sides with a good strong spade and prising them out should work.
Methinks you need to get some 'muscle ' to help you clear it. Get some advice from the allotment committee and explain that you are committed but haven't got the physical strength.
There must be SOME small areas you can clear and get something planted in them, surely?
You have to ask yourself, even if you do get it cleared, will you be able to find the time to keep it clear?
I would aim to spend every evening and both saturday and sunday each week for a good while 'On the plot'

[rustylady]

You can buy a saw for just a couple of quid. A bow saw would be best but you would need a friend to help you unless you get a small one. Do you have a local pound shop? I get quite a few of my tools from there, got a really good clawhammer and a pair of shears. Glyphosate is a good weedkiller, and doesn't persist in the soil. Got mine from Asda for just a couple of quid.
Another thought - is there anyone else on the site who might be prepared to give you a hand. When my daughter and I moved her newly acquired shed from the plot it was on to her plot we managed to get loads of volunteer helpers and to be honest we wouldn't have been able to manage without them.
It doesn't hurt to play the helpless female now and again, and if you don't ask for help people may assume that you want to go it alone.
Good luck with it.

[zazen999]

Hi

I think I would be inclined to call the council and tell them that you are confused - they are aware that it is a nasty plot and that's why you have been given the first year rent free - and on the other hand you have not been given a year to clear it. If it was clearable in less than a year, surely they wouldn't have given you the first year for nothing? One cancels the other out in terms of 'logic'. [I am aware councils don't have any but there's no harm in pointing this out].

Also, trees should not be allowed on allotments - in all honesty I'd be asking them to supply a couple of blokes to remove these.

And yes, there's usually someone with a rotavator on most plots somewhere - ask around - when have you got to take the rotavator back - I'd go back tomorrow and see if there is anyone around that can help you to unload - and get it to site. Usually blokes love this sort of thing and would happily do it for you - and Sunday mornings are usually the time when all the chaps are on site before they get their Sunday roast so try getting up there first light tomorrow.

On another matter - get as much ground covered as you can with [free from tesco] cardboard boxes, and plant up a few toms or courgettes through the card - then they can't say that you haven't got it at least started.

I think they are taking the P - giving you a shoddy plot with no help and kicking you off if it is that bad.

And please - pop your location into your profile - you never know - someone on here might be able to give you a hand.

[chixilixi]

Bless you Snadger, I am in London so its a bit far from you but thank you anyway, that would have been great ;-)
I have a spade so will try that tomorrow, I didnt know that about the roots! Some of them are bigger than saplings, but I will still try it. You are right, there is probably enough space to plant a strawberry plant here and there, or at least there will be tomorrow! As for the muscle, I think my neighbours on the lottie (two strapping guys) may be there tomorrow, if so I will ask them to help lift the rotavator and try again in small patches. I also have a whole week off work the week after next, so if I still have the lottie by then I WILL have some beds cleared. I was also thinking about getting some help from the Landshare scheme in return for half the plot but not sure how this would go down with the council?
This site is fab, dont know where else I could get such good advice from!

[Seahorse]

As Snadger says, it's not so much the height of the trees as the thickness. I'm not a big girl at all but I managed to fell some trees of around 10 ins diameter by sawing through them as best I could with a cheap saw, then leaning/swinging on them till they fell over. Wasn't terribly dignified but it did work!

[chixilixi]

Zazen you are so right, I am utterly confused. I thought when I took it on that I had until April next year to get it all cleared and in use and obviously it was easier in the colder months as it all stayed relatively growth free after chopping. I must admit I was shocked to receive the notice after only four months. I did ask for the community Service team to clear my plot, my neighbours were offered this service but didnt want it, but was refused even though I offered to pay the whole years rent there and then to get it cleared.
the rotavator is being picked up on Monday morning from my mums house so I was going to go back tomorrow on the offchance anyway and just try to get between the trees adn stumps as much as I can. I have an asda near me so willpop there when they open for some cardboard as well.
Rustylady I never thought of the £shop for tools, I got some plants there earlier in the year but its defo worth a try, will try to take a lunch hour on monday for that, thanks.

I am feeling more positive now thanks to everyone's great advice, I think maybe the sun got me today and was feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Chix x

[Lemon]

Well done you for getting your first lottie! You are brave to take on such a neglected plot! Shame the council don't offer any help to clear site first for you.

Maybe you can stick some spuds in now so they are ready for Xmas? That would sort out the ground for you and won't need too much looking after whilst you tackle the jungle!

I know you mentioned London - but where? You never know, there maybe a nearby grape who's willing to give you a helping hand! Or, a grape who hasn't got a plot and is willing to take half?

Chin-up! You'll get there!

[chixilixi]

Haha thanks Lemon - brave wasnt the first word that sprang to my mind though! And FIRST lottie?? I think that this one's more than enough to keep me going for a few years lol.

I have managed to bluetooth a pic I took of the middle of the clearer side of the plot (couldn't actually get around the other side) just a couple of weeks after taking it over in Feb. These trees are tiddlers and there are some much bigger ones and a few oaks, but I also have a fantastic Cherry Plum as well, and there is no way that will be chopped down (pics tomorrow hopefully).

I do feel a lot more optimistic now I have had some advice from you lovely people, I think I may try my luck with the council on monday, if only to get some of the trees removed.

Thank you all so much.