The no dig method

[smallfrog]

Hiya all,

I need to speak with my allotment partner about her half of the allotment and don't want to jump in with my size 7's and start shouting the odds. So just trying to find out a bit more about the no dig method. Its not my cup of tea i like to Dig and then do some more digging but i have heard it has its plus points.

Do you have to dig to start with? Allotment partner has smootherd weeds with cardboard, Carpet (i know its not me) and weed surpressant. Weeds were in active growth when she did this and they are now pushing up surpressant. One patch she has then layered some compost looks like muilt-purpose stuff and put some horse muck down as well.

It does look a mess at the mo so can't argue with the allotment peeps for having a moan. But whenever i've mention her giving it up she says she doing the no did method and it will all look great in the end.

[FionaH]

I am attempting the no dig lark at my dads. soil is really heavy clay. I did however get my son to turn it over with a mattock before I put the cardboard down in October. Since then I have covered with compost and poo and have planted spuds through the cardboard. There ends the full extent of my experience.

Sounds like the real problem is she covered the weeds while they were growing strongly. Has she actually planted anything yet?

[binley100]

You still have to go over it at least initially to get the weed roots like docks out . But if she lifts the coverings she should find that they've weakened. Cardboard can be planted thru but I would have thought the carpet she'd have lifted by now so that stuff can be planted .

[smallfrog]

Thats the main bug bear i think. Everyone else who covered up over winter has taken theres off and is getting on with it. Where as hers is just a mess. I strimmed the plot in july when we got it and she covered it early spring.

Planting wise a few fruit canes not netted, A plum tree. She was going to do potatos even went to ryton with me and spent £40 on them. I have yet to see any.
Its a knightmare our kids although only 4 years are like brother and sister so i don't like the idea of saying ship up or shift off. Nor do i did i want it to be me doing all the graft and her swaning in and picking the fruits of my labours.
My OH is on my side and says her OH will be too i've just got to bite the bullet and tell her.
My half looking good but then i'm up there alot on my own, with DS, OH anyone else who will dig, chop burn stuff.

[smallfrog]

Sorry to go on.

Main prob is weeds we have comfrey, dock and binweed. Which i've got under control on my half but she done nowt! I chop comfrey down every once in a while and shove it in the compost for her. Maybe i should just take over!!!

[Jeanied]

Smallfrog does your lottie mate have no consideration for someone about to give birth???? She should be helping you with yours not the other way round. Or is she preggers too?

[FionaH]

I would suggest telling her that the powers that be are hacked off. That way it isn't you telling her to sort it out.

ETA heck I forgot you were expecting, she has to put some effort in then!

[zazen999]

Is the lottle in both of your names, or just yours or hers?

I'd keep out to be honest, if that's the way she wants to do it; it will work eventually - but buying £40 of potatoes seems to be a waste when she could easily plant through the cardboard and get them in and growing.

Although the theory of the no dig is to dig initially; and to pull out the weeds as they regrow and then to layer up cardboard [definitely NOT carpet or weed supressant] and manure/organic material and leave it over the winter. In extreme cases, you can cover the soil with cardboard and plant through in the first season; but the idea is to dig any deep rooted weeds out as they grow or when you harvest the crops.

What have you got to tell her exactly?

It sounds more like the problem is a lack of interest than the no dig method.....no dig is not a substitute for no visit! or no plant out!

[binley100]

When we first took on our lottie it was between us and our neighbours because we didn't know whether we could cope on our own. . They had one little one and soon had another one on the way. We didn't halve it we just said we'd share working the whole thing. Anyway it soon became apparent that they didn't really have the time altho' he came and helped out with initial digging and taking down one of the sheds etc. We decided to ask if they wanted us to take over the lot and were worried about how to approach the matter as we 're such good friends. In the end I just asked straight out what they wanted to do as now having two little'uns they would be very busy. It turned out they were going to ask us to take it all over .
We're still good friends and they know they can come up and visit with the kids.
I think you could try saying that the committee have asked about it not being worked and what does she feel about it . would you be willing to take over her
half and at least get some spuds in?

[smallfrog]

The plot in my name. But when i took it on they said that a friend of mine had rang and asked to be put on the waiting list and could we go halves. At the time it all seemed like a good idea so i agreed. We agreed to split the plot and she could do whatever she wanted and i'd do lke wise.

Now the plots still in my name alot of the allotment folk know its a shared plot but i do still feel responiable for the whole lot. One of the field mangers i'm friends with said there been a few complaints about the state of the plot. Not being tended so i said i'd have a word and get her to do something. Shes just not down there enough for anyone else to speak to her.

Yes the whole baby thing is a little inconvient at the mo and did wonder weather planting some spuds might help things along but no. he/she is staying put. Plot partner did suggest i shouldn't be going up there in my condition but i'm dammed if i'm going to loose my plot!!!

I had a feeling no dig meant intial dig. Bloody woman!!! She has planted a wendy house with decking for the kids and a Bath which she wants to put a fish in. BARKING MAD

[zazen999]

Also with no dig - you should have two types of areas - one to walk on and one to grow in. These are usually beds and paths [seems logical!]; so it should be obvious which is the growing area and which is the walking area. Just chucking card and carpet on the whole plot and hoping for a no dig lottie is taking the p! Unless you are hoping to grow on the full area in year 1 and refine it in year 2.

Sounds like she isn't growing in that half at all....what a waste and so annoying for you.

If it is in your name then yes, I suppose you do need to have a word.

[binley100]

I think you need to take the bull by the horns and tell her that the committee are complaing and there is a liklehood of you losing the whole thing so can she please make a decision to either get up there and get planting as conditions of lotties are that they are used for growing stuff or hand it all back to you . It does sound like she's not really interested and it's just a fashion accessory.

[smallfrog]

Binley that was what i was thinking. I would even let her keep the wendyhouse. if i could relocate it. I'd never stop her from coming up and having a play.
I think her problem is she's too in love with the allotment dream and hasn't grasped the whole its bloody hard work part of it.
My parents are nursery men so i've been brought up to weed, dig , grow etc all through my life and although they hang there heads in shame. As i'm not interested in any latin names and if i can't eat it why grow it. I knew what i was letting myself into.
I don't have kath kidston wellies and i make cold frames out of any old bits of rubbish i can get my hands on.
Oh maybe they mean its my bit thats the state.

[binley100]

Naw it'll be the bits that are covered in carpet and not being worked. We have sheds etc that are obviously made from recycled stuff and nobody minds, it adds to the ambience of the place. The important thing is whats growing.

[smallfrog]

will take bull by the horns and tell her that it ain't working. Then hope that my little bros in a good mood as hes got carpet to shift and ground to dig.

Right off to bed
nite all the thanks for the pep talk.