Apparantly it looks worse than it is........Apparantly !

[bubblewrap]

What a wealth of knowledge this forum is. Hope you dont mind if i draw on your knowhow now and again.
Just taken on my first lottie and am a complete novice....WHAT HAVE I DONE .
Apparantly it is not as bad as it looks and in a strange masacistic way im quite looking forward to getting the strimmer on it this weekend. Rumor is Lord Lucan, Shergar and the crew of the Mary Celleste are in there somewhere.
Thanks again , please wish me luck
Minty

No Japanise paratroopers then?

[bubblewrap]

But seriously strim off & then dig you will then get rid of the roots
I don't beleve in chemicals!

[Minty]

Thanks bubblewrap. Yes the intention is to strim , rotavate and rake out a block at a time.
No certainly no chemicals, dont think the Japannese paratroopers would like it too much !!!!, thanks again Minty

[dexterdoglancashire]

Hi Minty and welcome to the Vine! Just take it one step at a time, and dont try and do too much else you'll end up with a bad back like me. BTW we found David Bellamys land rover in our back garden! LOL! Do let everyone know how you get on! Its brill taking photos because you can see what progress you've made. Good luck! Bernie

[yoanbob]

hi minty welcome, looks like your in the same place as me with your lottie, i've been a bit short of time recently, its great tho, just wait till you get your first veg, nothing beats it.

[vicpivo]

I was in the same boat in Feb, and my only bit of advice to you is to get a BBQ on the plot. I found an old one on the roadside nearby - just the job!

After the hard work, sit back admire, have a BBQ and a few beers!

[Flummery]

Careful about rotavating though. Some weed come back from little bits of root. You could just multiply your problem by chopping them up. Digging's harder but more thorough. Rotavating's great for somewhere that has no perennial weeds, you can just dig in the annuals.

[shirley]

Hello and welcome. My plot looked like yours when I took it on. No fruit bushes lurking in the undergrowth though. Yes it is hard work but so rewarding. Last night picked so many stawberries, looks like more jam or cordial is on the cards.

[Minty]

Apparantly its not too bad.....

Well it appears that it wasnt too bad after all.
Strimmed about 2 thirds this morning after a little advice on how to use the strimmer from my new found pal (Reg in the next plot) see him in action below !!!
Spent a good 3 hours on it then left feeling battered, bruised, sunburnt, scratched, cut and dehydrated and most importantly with a sense of satisfaction having transformed it within 3 hours.
Have added a few pics.
Kind of think i have earned a bubbly bath followed by a curry and a few bottles of Old Perculier ale ("any excuse" comes a wifely voice over my shoulder ).
What a great little support network this is ,Again Thanks , Minty

[SarzWix]

Way t go!! And 'hurrah' for Reg too

[Percy T]

welcome and well done minty,

great sense of satisfaction where you look at the before and after pics.

Fantastic

[seasprout]

Howdy.

Spent a good 3 hours on it then left feeling battered, bruised, sunburnt, scratched, cut and dehydrated

You know in some county's people pay good money to get like that. (say no more.)

Welcome to the vine.

[Flummery]

Love the shed - and the rasps! It looks a grand plot and you deserved the soak and drink. Onwards and upwards now!

[kirsty b]

Well done, looks like you have made a good start. Mine was not unlike that when I took it on in Nov, but you do get there in the end, and boy is it worth it. I'm getting some crops this year, but plan to be more organised next year to produce as much as I can for the table. Home grown really is the best. (especially sweet, freshly dug spuds)

Kirsty

[Minty]

Thanks for all the pats on the back, not too hard though its still aching a bit !!
Been down for an hour again this morning for the first dig. Ground was very hard and full of half burnt carpet( the carpet was a nightmare to dig out).
Managed to dig out an area of about 3x3 meters and intend to do the same next visit.
Am going to put some potatoes in so am ahead of my self already.
Im really enjoying this allotment lark,
Thanks Minty