How much to remove hardcore from a plot?

[nick the grief]

Personally I'd leave it down for now and clear all the weeds off for a start. then I'd make some raised beds and just remove the hard core from these and use it to build up your paths etc. A lot easier. If you make the beds about 4ft wide you can reach the middle from both sides and not have to walk on them and then just mulch the beds with compost every time you harvest, so or plant - two good books to get

1. Square foot gardening
2. The ornamental kitchen garden by the great Geoff Hamilton
3. rased bed system by Pauline pears (i have a spare copy of this if you would like it PM me your address and make a suitable donation to your nearest charity shop)
4. oh and her one on compost

OK so thats 4 good books but I have a lot of good books to choose from

you'll soon have it really productive and your feet wont get muddy when it rains ...

I would be wary of advertising it on freebay or preloved as you could attract the wrong type of person to have a look around you allotment site and there may be bye laws prohibiting the removal of "soil" from the site...

Hope that helps

[mrgrower]

Welliecome to the right place for advice some you take some you won't but all worthy advice none the less

You don't say if the coucil provide a skip for rubish as you may be allowed to move some should you decide bit by bit.

I'd go for a full same as most as part of it is usable growing land. You could also go with the half plot and put raised beds on however raised beds take money to fill unless the council provide soil horse poo and even woodchip which will break down. bit by bit and enjoy.

Mr G

[out in the cold]

Welcome to the site Laura and Frey.

I immediately thought about paths with the hardcore...

Another question to ask of plot neighbours is what the ground is like, does it flood or get boggy in winter. If you can manage to catch the folks with plots around you, most will be happy to share information with you. Nobody likes to be near to a vacant plot, so it is in their interests to give you the info

[SarzWix]

Welcome to the Vine Laura and Frey Can't add much to the advice above, but if you get some photos, we'd love to see them

And a quick 'Welcome back' to Nick the grief up there, long time, no see! Hope you're well