Yippee !!

[greasemonkey67]

I have recently got my first allotment, YES!! I can tell im getting old the way im getting excited about getting down n dirty about an allotment Anyway,It hasnt been touched in 2 years and the grass n poppys were about a metre tall and a shed was on its side,what the hell have i let myself in for. The council came and ploughed it and dragged it and it doesnt look too bad,just loads n loads of grass sods n couch grass.Some people say to dig by hand n some say rotivate it. I have dug a section of about 13 mtrs by 10 mtrs and every fork turn i stopped and got on my hands n knees n removed the couch grass roots,very painstaking but i have planted some winter spuds, courgettes and some beetroot seeds. The old shed i have repaired as reqd and painted up so thats a saving. The rest of the allotment is starting to grow the grass again so my question is am i going about it right or is there a better way to clear the plot. I do work all day so time spent digging is limited. If anyone can offer ANY advice to a new allotment holder it would be appreciated.

[VirginVegGrower]

You're going the right way - hard graft and a fork is the way with twitch. Rotivate it and it's yours forever (spread in little bits all over your plot). Keep up the good work and you will be rewarded. The allotment game is best played slowly, steadily, carefully! You could sow overwintering onion seed for crop next Summer or green manure for digging in Autumn (provides your soil with nitrogen).

Oh and welcome BTW!

[chris]

Indeed, don't rotovate with couch grass ! Welcome to the forum. Just do it bit by bit.. I cleared half an allotment on my last plot, and didn't plant up - before I knew it, weeds were everywhere again. This time around, I'm doing a section-by-section and planting up If you've nothing to plant/sow now, then there's always the option of green manure.

[susieq100]

Welcome to the vine! Please take some photographs - they will entertain us and give you a bench mark ... ie look how far I've come.

[greasemonkey67]

many thanks for all your advice n tips,its nice to know im not on my allotment for the amusement of my neighbours ! I presume the green manure wont keep coming like the dredded weeds n grass? i might give it ago. I will try to get some photos and post them, may as well give you a good grin ! thanks for all your words of encouragement I will need all the help i can get.

[VirginVegGrower]

You could sow green manure now for digging in Autumn although some can be sown and over wintered. Try a quick google and that will explain fully.

[Two_Sheds]

i have planted some winter spuds, courgettes and some beetroot seeds.

You'll have more success if you sow winter crops now, not summer ones. That means Japanese onion sets, garlic and broad beans

[Two_Sheds]

I presume the green manure wont keep coming like the dredded weeds n grass?

That depends what type you use and whether you let it go to seed or not.

I'm using alfalfa, which I've planted in strips amongst my crops. It brings nutrients up from down deep and I cut the nutritious leaves several times a year to add goodness to my compost heap

I've allowed phacelia to self-seed all over my plot, it's shallow rooted so easy to pull up when you want to. Its bushy growth shades out weeds and it produces a lot of greenery for the compost. When it flowers the bees are all over it

[oldie]

I have sown alfalfa this year with the same idea. Plan to use as a mulch and for compost bin.