Newcomers

[Sheneval]

I think it is more important than that - I have read allegations that this weedkiller (Glysophate?) which is widely used in the USA does not become harmless in the soil as is stated and high/dangerous levels have been found in humans, preumably from crops grown on treated land.

Think the American farmers may be overusing but suggests that more research is needed and it should be banned in meantiime

[Two_Sheds]

Another piece of advice it ain't easy.

Glad no one has mentioned roundup

The things every newbie does on our site:

1) spray everything with Roundup, whatever the month or weather condition
2) rotavate, sometimes every month
3) lay a blue carpet of slug pellets around every seedling


Then they give up

[bubblewrap]

The things every newbie does on our site:

1) spray everything with Roundup, whatever the month or weather condition
2) rotavate, sometimes every month
3) lay a blue carpet of slug pellets around every seedling


Then they give up

1) And your allotment too (if breezy)then your plants die too.
2) But would not dig as that is like hard work & get dirty hands picking out the cooch grass.
3) The birds/frogs eat the slugs & die.

[Bigmallly]

One suggestion I would make is to invite a "want to be" plotholder down for a day or 2 & work with a current plotholder. Just to get the feel of things.........

[bubblewrap]

That's a good idea I could get my plot dug & weeded by someone else for free.

[~kirsty~]

Definately taster sessions (taster weeks really!) would be a brilliant idea. I've no idea what to expect, except I know in the summer I'll be down at the plot most evenings after work and a few hours on saturday and sunday, during the winter, I'll still go down a few days each week. I'm willing to give it a shot, and will hand the plot back if I cannot look after it. A lot of newbies I guess think a saturday afternoon is all they need to do.

[WendyC]

A lot of newbies I guess think a saturday afternoon is all they need to do.

Or less! I've estimated 5 hours a week once up and running based on a 2.5 rod(approx 60m squared). That's what I can get by on but would obviously do more if work didn't interfere.

[SarzWix]

You could add 'Covering the plot is only a temporary measure' - there's one plot on our site that has been covered in plastic for nearly a year now as apparently they've been told that that will 'kill all the weeds'... Another 2 plots have had more than half covered for the same length of time. If they'd gradually uncovered and dug the ground, they'd have had a fully cultivated plot by now! And what's the betting they'll be shocked when weeds start germinating as soon as they uncover it...

[WendyC]

Yes there's two near me been covered all last year. One had grand plans for "forest planting" but nothing has happened at all. If he was going to do bare root planting I'd have expected to see some soil prep if not actual planting.

[Piggle]

I work all week so 1 day a week is all I have, I have totally cleared an overgrown plot this way and have it running like clockwork. Having said that I never under estimated how much work it was going to be.

I think the key is not the time you have available but how you structure your time while you are there.