New allotment

[Jelliebabe]

Try freecycle for anything that you need garden wise - it really is good! Also where do you work? Where I work we have loads of pallets that go to waste and cardboard (I take and use what I can) we also have a costa coffee on site and I share the coffee grounds with another allotmenteer!


edit: Oooooooh And cardboard, I dig then cover or fill with plants.... Dont do what I did and dig and dig and dig and let it get full of weeds eeeeeeekkk. Nature abhors a vacuum! Cover or Fill... That is my most important lesson from last year! My first year too!


GOOD LUCK!!!

[sowitgrowit]

Thanks for the advice and kind words. I have put a wanted ad on freecycle so will see what comes of that, if anything. I can get shredded paper and smallish cardboard boxes to add to the composters when I have them sorted to balance out all of the green waste.

[Two_Sheds]

Still lots of clearing to do though - I don't want to leave it and let it become an even bigger job when I do get chance to plant the whole thing.

If you clear it, you'll only get more weeds germinating, because as said above, nature abhors a vacuum. Clear a bit and immediately cover (mulch) it or plant it up

[sowitgrowit]

I'm planning acquiring lots of cardboard covering the plot and planting through it or removing it to plant an area.

Or possibly green manures in places. I'm undecided but I don't want to leave vast areas of cabbages going funny!

[sowitgrowit]

Quick update from my mobile, got to tell someone... the whole allotment is clear!! New compost bin assembled, my first planting done (two rhubarb crowns).

Can't wait to get cracking now. Total time to clear it was about 5-6 hours over two mornings.

http://www.yfrog.com/mmki1nnj

[veggiechicken]

Well done You! What are you planting next?

[sowitgrowit]

Errrrrr I don't know! my daughter loves sweetcorn and butternut squash, I also have dwarf beans, potatoes and courgettes still to go in. Maybe runners and peas too though they may stay in the garden.

yfrog Photo : http://www.yfrog.com/h2m2flsqj Shared by sowitgrowit

[Pa Snips]

Oooh, blank canvas, I'd be all 'tape measures and drawing boards' at this point!

Please keep the pics coming, I do like to see the transformation that nature can make to a piece of land - whether assisted by humankind or not.

[sowitgrowit]

Time to get mulching soon whilst I make my plans...

[hamesy]

Bet you can't wait now you've cleared it. Me and my old man finished ours off today and hopefully I'm going down tomorrow to start some sowing.

[sowitgrowit]

We may be a few weeks before sowing. Sweetcorn, dwarf French beans, courgettes squash, etc may not lend themselves to being sown yet.

Potatoes will go in soon though (when they arrive! Ordered main crop as soon as I got the Lotty).