My new (overgrown) allotment. HELP!

[Warbers]

Good evening! well after a five year wait I have been handed my own plot (1/2 plot). The problem that I have, and I guess this is an age old problem, is that it is slightly overgrown with weeds. Having done a bit of reading on this and having had a bit of a scout around yesterday I don't think there are any really troublesome ones such as Mares Tail for example. My question is, what is the best way to set about getting it all cleared. I know that I shouldn't let a rotivator within 100 metres of the plot whilst there are so many weeds but is giving it a good hack back with a strimmer ok? I have a public album of day 1 photos if anyone should be interested and I would be delighted to get any advice on thoughts about where to start. The album is creatively called 'New Allotment Day 1'. I look forward to any help and advice and thank you all in advance for just taking the time to look at my request.

[veggiechicken]

Hello Warbers and welcome
Strimming is fine - its chopping up the roots that you have to be wary of!
If you can't clear it all now, cover it with a mulch - cardboard is good and free - until you're able to weed it. If you're desperate, you can plant through the cardboard and ignore what's beneath it

[Methe]

If you just start digging you'll be surprised how soon you can get it done. I covered mine with black plastic (bought a huge roll of dpm from ebay for £40) and pulled it back and dug as I went.

Congratulations on your plot

[DannyRam]

It is like eating an elephant - a bit at a time!!

[Bren In Pots]

Hello and welcome to the vine Warbers it looks like you've got a couple of willing 'helpers'

[Two_Sheds]

I have a public album of day 1 photos

click on Warbers name, then public profile, then you'll see the photo album on the LH side of the page.

Warbers, I've left my comments in the album:
"If you can't get on top of the weeds before they start to flower & seed, then cover them up with wet newspapers, held down with soil or weeds, bricks or whatever. If the committee don't like the newspapers, hide them with netting.
When you come to remove the newspaper & plant the ground up, the soil will be moist, crumbly, weed free & full of worms."

[mrgrower]

Hi and welcome. You have a decent sized plot to go at there and a little haven for the kids to enjoy to by the looks of it. I see a lot of trees and bushes round do you have a very shady plot? If so, you may want to look at cutting some of the bushes and tree branches back to let more light in if you're allowed to.

Is your plot also on higher ground than the other plots as it looks like that in the pictures? If so chances are you have good drainage, but the trees will be vying for the ground water so the raised beds will be a good way to go.

Enjoy your plot and lets have regular updates and pictures of the progress as it happens.

Mr G

[mothhawk]

Welcome to the vine, Warbers. I see you've got rhubarb, raspberries and comfrey, so already you have 2 crops and free fertiliser. You're well on your way already!

[Warbers]

Many thanks for the warm welcome and the advice has given me some great ideas already. I intend to keep the albums updated with photos as I progress and please feel free to chip in at any time.
To answer a few of the questions/comments;
1. There are a few trees surrounding the plot but it is east facing so it gets quite a bit of sun during the day. I can't cut any of the branches/trees back as they are on a local nature reserve.
2. It is a high plot above the rest of the site and I have been informed it can get dry due to trees battling for the water so I think once I have had a good clear then I shall dismantle the small raised beds and reinstate them along with others to make the most of the plot.
3. I do seem to have rasps and an abundance of rhubarb which is great and I have been told that there may be some asparagus but I am not holding my breath but it may be a pleasant surprise somewhere under there.
Many thanks again and let's see how we are looking after the first weekend of strimming/digging!


Sent from my iPad using Grow Your Own Forum

[Two_Sheds]

Be careful with strimming: you'll lose your asparagus tips, and possibly macerate a frog

[Two_Sheds]

It is a high plot ... it can get dry due to trees battling for the water

it's not just the trees: water doesn't climb hills
you'll need to make good use of mulches, and make sure you puddle in your plants when you transplant them (if you're growing in modules)

[crannman]

take your time little by little its not a race you will get there cover over what you cant dig now with tarps old carpet carbard most of all enjoy it

[WendyC]

Surely the same rules apply as at home that if branches are overhanging you are allowed to prune them to the boundary, but must offer the branches to the owner.

[kathycam]

Well done on the plot, sounds like a long wait!!! Tackle the perennial weeds first and the others wont seem so bad. Like others have said use the cardboard to mulch over and block the light, to stop the weeds. We've been covering over our new garden and any regrowth under the cardboard is very weedy looking, and easier to deal with one you have the time. As most people don't have the time to do everything all at at once.

[Raybon]

See thread 'using an allotment and clearing at the same time'
Cardboard is a great soil softener/ grass and weed killer.......there was a marked difference after only a couple of weeks between areas I did/ didn't cover. Well worth digging out all perennial weeds.....
Hope you enjoy your new venture.