Just signed up for an allotment!

[GreenGriff]

Hello

I've been on the waiting list for an allotment for about 18 months - not long compared to some of the horrific waiting lists I've been reading about on here! I got a phonecall at the weekend to say a half plot was available, did I want it?! I rushed down there the next day to have a look and it seems to be in not tooooo bad a state ... previous tenant had three half plots, one of which he's kept up, one (in the middle) is covered in weeds as tall as me, and one (now MINE) he's had covered in thick black plastic for a year. There is still a bit of "weedage" including the marvellous bindweed which I am already cursing ... I haven't investigated fully yet, as I'm still waiting for the keys (they have one spare set from which you need to get your own set cut - these had just been given to another couple taking on a plot, so I have to wait for them to return them before getting mine cut! This was on Sunday ... I don't want to appear impatient, but I WANT MY KEYS Hubby says I have now entered the world of allotments where things move slowly and I must exercise patience ....

Anyway ... my plan is to clear a bed at a time ... am hoping to get one bed going before too long, to plant some onions, garlic and broad beans.

My main question at the moment is the bindweed - one of the old blokes up there suggested I burn it, but I'm not very keen on that option ... am I best to just dig it all up and dispose of it?

Sorry, bit of an essay, but I'm so excited and the kids and hubby think I've lost it. Hubby will help with heavy stuff, but otherwise does not want to get involved, daughter has massive worm phobia and won't come near the place and son just wants to play football all day every day, so you lot seem like a friendly bunch of ears for my enthusiasm

[rustylady]

Hi GreenGriff, welcome to the Vine. Yes, it was a bit of an essay but congratulations on getting your allotment. As to bindweed, yes it is a PITA. Yes you do need do dig it out, but as you say you're not keen on burning, exactly how are you planning on disposing of it?

[GreenGriff]

Ah ... well, I'm not sure. The way the chap was talking, I thought he meant to burn it "in situ" but it's entirely possible I misunderstood! Perhaps he meant a bonfire. I know you can't put it on a regular compost heap ... I was thinking of bagging it up and taking it to the council recycling site. Not really sure what my options are.

[SarzWix]

Welcome to the Vine

Sounds like you got lucky that it's been covered all that time - lots of the weeds will be weakened, andd easier to dig out

If it was high summer, you might have been able to dry out the roots of the bindweed in the sun, which would then have been compostable. Might be a bit more difficult in the winter. The thing is not to try and compost them as they are, because they will just keep on trying to grow, even tiny pieces. That's probably why burning was suggested, although they'd still need drying out a bit.

[rustylady]

No, you really can't burn it in situ. You need to pull up all the topgrowth and dig up as much root as you can. You can then lay it on a bit of spare ground to dry out a bit, and if you're allowed bonfires on your site (I use an incinerator/dustbin on legs with holes in) then you can burn it.

[GreenGriff]

Well now I feel silly! Of course he didn't mean to burn it in situ. How stupid am I?!
Sarzwix, thanks for your explanation. I knew that each little piece could grow into it's own weed but not about the drying out ... I fear there will not be much drying weather to come though. Blinking stuff, I hate it already!

[Pies]

Welcome,tis a good timew to start work on a lotty as the weed growth is slowing and as you know not too much to plant, and dont forget your shallots will be looking for space in the new year

Bindweed best thing is to drown it in a bucket for a few months or take to skip

"Hubby says I have now entered the world of allotments where things move slowly and I must exercise patience .... "

Remind hubby of that in May

Enjoy

[Currysniffa]

Welcome to the vine Suzie and good luck with the lottie You could always buy a bottle of round up and spray all your plot and kill all the weeds in one go, that's what I did when I got my half plot this year, I know Its a chemical solution but its not like your spraying every week, just about everyone on our lottie users it...

Have fun

[binley100]

Welcome ..Keep the covers on the bits you're not using yet. Bindweeds one of them nasties that you have to keep plodding away at

[GreenGriff]

Thanks everyone The spare set of keys were delivered this evening by Derek, so I will get a set cut tomorrow and then the hard work can begin!

Binley - the chap who I'm having the lot off of wants the plastic back to cover the one next to mine that is 5' high with weeds I think ... I'll ask him if I can borrow it for a bit longer though

[Two_Sheds]

...about the drying out ... I fear there will not be much drying weather to come

You could put it in a dry place? Depends on how much you have. I'm drying couch and bindweed roots out in the mini plastic greenhouse. You have to make sure they are completely crispy before adding to compost heap though: if not, they will rehydrate and grow within the heap.

You could also drown them in a covered water butt (if you don't block the light, the couch grass will grow in water).

[gojiberry]

Bindweed is a PITA but is controlable with a bit of effort. Just be thankfull you haven't got marestail as well, I have both and it is a continual battle to keep them under control.
However I have some excellent crops and very rarely buy any fruit or veg. Just take it a bit at a time to start with and don't be to ambitious. Good luck.

Ian