soil improver/compost for new allotment

[dawndaisy]

Ive just found out Ive got an allotment after 4 years on the waiting list. Ive had a quick look at it as I dont officially take over until tomorrow. The previous tennant was a flower arranger, and it is full of shrubs and perennials, the soil looks needs a good dose of compost. There are no beds laid out, but there is a small shed and a falling down lean too greenhouse. There are some weeds, including mares tail.

I will try to move some of the better plants into one area, to make a nice area to sit, but will have to dig out the rest and compost, compost compost!

Im very excited but a little daunted by the compacted, hungrt looking soil. Ideally Id like to have a no dig plot but this soil needs sorting out first. Im hoping for some suggestions of where to get a decent amount of compost at a good price?

Dawn

[rustylady]

You may be able to get soil conditioner from your local council.

[arpoet]

Two sheds is the no-dig expert.. she should be able to give you some pointers.. i do a mixture by leaving one half of my plot fallow and covered all winter in hos muck, spent hops and shreaded paper (all free locally upon collection). then the next winter i change to the other half. It might not be a bad idea to leave all yours covered thus and let worms do thier work for winter months.
Good luck Dawn
Roger

[dawndaisy]

Thats an interesting idea. Its a long thin 1/2 plot, 14' x 100',so working on 1/2 the plot at a time would work well. I don twant to rush trying to get it all sorted in one go, and have thought about sheet composting. The soil looks very compacted, weedy, and hungry, so Im not sure if I should double dig and weed it 1st or not. Its hard to get the free organic matter you suggested here, so I suspect its either going to take a long time, or cost lots. I have access to lots of leaves, nettles from waste ground, could probaly get some newspaper. I might be able to do a few beds at a time. Hubby thinks I should dig the whole thing and buy in compost, but Im keen to try and be a bit more frugal and organic.
Thanks for your suggestions.
Dawn

[dawndaisy]

I should add that I havent been able to dig a test pit yet to find out what the soil is like under the surface. I hope its a nice surprise, not a nasty one. I get the key tomorrow, and have Thursday off work to start sorting it out.I Hope some of the shrubs can come back to my home garden.
Dawn