Decisions...help?!

[Twinsane]

Hi all,

I've finally been able to get a plot, in fact I have a choice and therein lies the problem.

The first plot (1) we were given has a huge hedge along the north edge and has mainly couch grass growing on it. But we've cut it all down, cleared the surface debris and erected a shed.When we began trying to dig we found that it appears to be pure rock and clay for the first 8-10 feet along the northern edge. The fork wouldnt even go into the soil 3 inches.

The plot we could move to (2) has trees along the south and south-west and is covered in brambles, nettles and various other weeds. It seems stony but I've randomly dug a fork in and it doesn't seem to be as bad as plot one.

The allotment site hasn't been cultivated for over 10 years. Most of it was/is covered in brambles, nettles and rampaging fruit (raspberries, goosberres etc) It all seems to be stony too. It is very uneven and full of debris including old sheds, coldframes, and all imaginable allotment tools and treasures" that have collapsed or become lost and buried over time.

I'm now trying to weigh up the pro's and cons of each plot but without experience I'm finding it difficult. I'm disappointed because we've already made a start on plot 1 and plot 2 will need clearing from scratch - the growth is well over 6 foot high and a solid mass. The shade from the tree's on plot 2 puts me off also as does it's location as it will be the first plot as you enter the site (which has benefits...). We don't know what we'll find once we start clearing the weeds either; we can see a collapsed shed. The soil I can access does seem softer though and it does have alot of growth (is that a good sign?).

Plot one's bad points are the rocky clay area (or maybe this could be my seating/compost/storage area and the couch grass. Are the weeds that are growing an indication of the soil quality because plot 1 has couch grass and pretty much nothing else whereas plot 2, which is almost opposite, has a myriad of vegitation. But, it is "ready to go" as all the surface debris has been cleared now and it gets more sun.

Can anyone advise please?

[rana]

Better the devil you know

[zazen999]

I'd stick with the cleared one and use raised beds/heavily mulch the clayey area between now and next spring and then put spuds in.

[Matt.]

Has the soil in plot 1 changed given the recent rain? Is it easier to dig once moisture is there or is it just rocky? You could improve the condition by adding compost or top soil plus manure etc but this will cost you.

In terms of plot 2 what would you miss out on growing on plot 1? If not a lot you have many months to clear for next year. Think about the impact the trees will have and the shading. I would definitley consider moving to site 2 but maybe try to gain access into the plot cutting through the brambles to see the soil condition throughout.

[Pumpkin Becki]

Nothings ever perfect is it. My allotment is on solid clay/flint, and was rough sheep grazing for many years before we adopted it. We have tall trees on the south and west, though the south one are far enough away not to affect us too much. We did just what Zazen suggests, we constructed raised beds, then skimmed off the turf inside and added loads of compost and manure to build the level up. The most unuseable bits (shading and stones) have become our paths and storage areas. You find ways to work with what you've got. Our plot (which the old timers didn't envy us taking on) is now very productive, and some of them now have plot envy for what we have achieved. Hee hee.

[Twinsane]

Thanks for your replies and suggestions.

Being moist didn't help with the digging. All of the allotment plots are stony but this section is full of a rock that looks like black lava which forms a layer 3-5 inches below the surface. When you manage to get it out, it feels quite light; beneath this is a 2-6 inch layer of clay. I imagine that the clay will be on the whole plot not just in one corner. It's also got conifer roots in there!

It's the shade from the trees which concerns me most on plot 2. I've hacked into some of plot 2 and pushed a fork into the soil and mostly it feels alright but that doesn't mean there isn't a 20 by 8 foot rock patch somewhere at the back too! I'm thinking we'll stick with plot 1...

Does the vegetation that is growing indicate anything? It's strange that there is almost no growth other than couch grass on this plot when all of the others have everything growing.

I wish this rain would go away - I want to go and make a start on at least one of them!

[Nicos]

I'd go with .....stick with what you've got
You don't want shade from the south side...(you're not in sunny Spain!!!!)

A hedge on the North side is fine- may create a bit of a shelter from the wind???

First plot in??..everyone will stop to natter with you...and give you loads of advice etc on what you should be doing ...whether you want help or not!!!...it is also has a potential for vandals.
Raised beds will be fine on the solid part- at least you won't get weeds sneaking up from solid rock!!!!...and yes- it'd also make a good base for a compost etc!

Clay is fairly easy to make lighter if you add loads and loads of fibrous 'stuff'

Nah...stick with what you've got..you've worked hard...enjoy!!!

the grass isn't always greener ya know!!!

[Pumpkin Becki]

Does the vegetation that is growing indicate anything? It's strange that there is almost no growth other than couch grass on this plot when all of the others have everything growing.

They do say that nettles are a sign of fertile soil.

[snakeshack]

on my plot nettles are a sign of lots of digging to get the roots out & the basis for nettle tea fertillizer

[Twinsane]

Thanks again for the replies. I'd also heard that nettles were a sign of fertility which is worrying that in the last 10 years my plot hasnt anything.

Oh, nettle fertiliser! I'd better be on the scrounge for the nettle and comfey that's infested everyone else's plot.

I think, as I said before, that we're sticking with our original plot - wish us luck!

[Nicos]

Good choice!!...at least it was worth looking into!