new allotment totally overgrown

[becky2812]

I have just got my allotment. It looks llike at one point it was a flourishing one, but seemd to have been abandoned mid year. i went today, and there are all the corner posts of raised beds, but the wooden planks on the sides have been taken. the plot is full of full grown crops that have then dried out or rotted. i did however pull up a perfect leek! the ground is totally overgrown with grass and weeds, and the plot has loadsof borken glass.

My first dilemma is regarding the glass. The councel said they will try to get the old tennant to remove all the glass, but that could take months and i can;t sign my contract until they've done it. Alternatively i can sign now and clear the glass myself..

Then... how do i even start to clear this? do i pull everything up and burn it? or will old dried out plants compost? do i pull up all the corner posts, and re make my own raised beds where i want them?

I am a complete novice so any advice is appreciated. Thank you in advance!

[binley100]

If it were me I'd start clearing it myself bit at a time. Start at one corner clear enough to get something planted and then gradually work your way round. Clearing and planting so you can wee some reward for your hard work. A lot of old plants should compost but some stuff may need bashing up first. We cleared bucket fulls of broken glass from ours. Just kept filling a box and then taking it to the tip. If the beds are where you want them then reuse the posts. Any wood left around if its usable reuse it if not then burn it (if you're allowed) TBH I'd sign now so that it can start being used.
Oh and btw , welcome to the vine

[becky2812]

thanks jo, i think i'll ring her tomorrow and tell her i'll clear the glass myself. hopefully that way i can get on to it by easter!

[organic]

Congrats on the plot!

There's a fair bit of glass on mine - I just make sure I'm wearing gloves while I dig my way around it. The only cut I've had so far was when I had an idiot-moment with a sharp knife (full story in my blog under the title "Blood Everywhere" ).

I've got some sniug fitting DeWalt ones with rubber palms and fingers that I picked up for a fortune in B&Q - you can get equivalent ones for far less elsewhere.

Most of the stuff will probably compost. Soak things like dandelions in a bucket of water for a few weeks to make sure they are dead... or just cut off the leaves for compost and chuck/burn the roots.

[Paulottie]

The council won't get them back unless they paid a large deposit...by rights the council could clear it...but they won't.

Sign, buy a pair of gloves, maybe a book ...I like Andi Clevely's allotment book....Brace yourself ....Start clearing. fall asleep knackered each night with book on face dreaming about all your wonderful crops.

PS. Put a location in your profile

[Liza]

Sign and get stuck in !

Welcome to the vine.

Dont forget before and after piccies !

[Jeanied]

Hi Becky and welcome to the vine. I think we all agree that you need to take the plot on straight away, so that you can get the season started. If you hang around waiting for the council you could miss the main growing season and everything will be late or you will have to wait till next year. You don't say what you want to start growing - that would help us work out what you will need to do first - and also your location.
I would stick with your current layout for a year just to see if it works for you - then you can decide what changes you need to make next year. Watch out for permanent goodies on your allotment such as asparagus and fruit bushes.

[piskieinboots]

..maybe a book ...I like Andi Clevely's allotment book....

I would recommend this one too.

And welcome to the Vine

[Two_Sheds]

I cleared my broken glass a bucket at a time too: smashed it up small and I poured it into the bottle bank.
Loads of old bags too, and broken plastic pots etc. I just took a bag at a time home on my bike, and left them in street bins.

First job is to make a compost heap or two, so you have somewhere to leave the weeds.

As you clear a patch, immediately plant it up (have things growing in pots/modules at home in the meanwhile)

Spuds can go in soon, they will take up a fair bit of room.

Get cracking and enjoy it.

[becky2812]

Hi, thanks for all the replies. Have updated my profile!
Well, i;m def going to ring her today and tell her i'll take it as it is. And that i want to sign asap.
There are 2 sheds and a hen house on the allotment. The council lady says she has promised one shed to someone else, but doesn't know which.... i;m hopin it's not the hen house!
there is currently old wood shavings on the floor of the henhouse... will they compost? or do i need to remove them?
Also, is it a big No No to go to the allotment today to have a poke around and move a bit opf rubbish, as seen as i haven't signed for it yet?

[Two_Sheds]

You can compost anything that is made from natural materials.

I would go to the site and walk round saying hello to people. If it looks like you're welcome, I'd get stuck in.

[Paulottie]

It is not your land...you would technically be trespassing. As soon as your tenancy begins the sheds, henhouse glass and all are yours (although It might be good politics if you give the one YOU chose away.) It is not really for the council lady to be giving it away ...fair enough if they were clearing the whole plot. Chase her see if you can sign...say you want to crack on as its Spring.

Hen house shavings should be an excellent addition to you new compost heap....are you going to be keeping chickens too?

[becky2812]

thank you for all your advice. I have got spuds ready to go in, and onions and garlic. will start seeds off at home while i wait to clear areas. There are tyres on the plot so think i'll pile them up and put spuds in.. will that work?
If i;m honest, i was really excited, but when i saw it became really disheartened. You have all reignigted my excitement!
Have suggested to a few friends we have an allotment party, where they come along and help me clear and dig, and i repay them with a bbq while we do it! the girls seem really keen, the lads think i'm mad for having an allotment in the first place!

I will be having chikcens, but need to build a run first!

[piskieinboots]

but when i saw it became really disheartened. You have all reignigted my excitement!

That's understandable and great that you are now re-energised

Have suggested to a few friends we have an allotment party

Excellent idea - don't forget to invite some of the 'locals' to your BBQ

[Paulottie]

Stress its a BBQ withBEER often works with lads.