Long wait for rotavate

[waynebeddall]

just found out today that I have to wait between 4-6 weeks to get my plot rotavated I am a bit eager so I would like to do it my self but the weeds grass is about 2ft high. Should I wait or start it my self. If so I cant get any power to my site so not sure what to do unless i have to hire

[nick the grief]

There are other means but none of thema re fast I'm afraid Wayne. Covering to exclude the light will help but will take 12 months, or just good old fashioned digging but that will take a long time as well depending on fitness.

I usually advise newbies on our site to invest in some Roundup and spreay the whole of the plot. It will kill off anything there already so it won't get any worse then when it's rotorvated you won't make the situation worse by spreading Couch Grass and Docks by root cuttings.

I know how you feel as I've just taken on a 2nd plot and it's in a similar situation.

[Matt.]

I doubt any rotovators are electric powered so I wouldn't worrry about that. Everything should be petrol. As for the rotovating I would definitely try and clear the bulk of the weeds first. Use a strimmer or a mower to take it down to the surface then think about rotovating. Also if you do rotovate try and go over once at a shallow depth to remove all the surface weeds. This is what I did and I think it was better for it.

However, rotovating has pros and con. On the positive side it breaks up the soil and makes it much easier to plant. This is a real bonus if its been field like for a long time. On the negative side its not as effective as digging by hand because it doesn't go as deep. In addition expect weeds to come back because you will have turned them into the soil. I have found that my plot has still required a lot of manual digging to remove weeds and roots that had grown back or were still there but deeper.

Overall I think rotovating was worth it because it meant I could get started planting a large area quickly and the digging has been much easier. I would say its true that weeds have come back but nowhere near as bad as some scaremongerers first claimed. Just be aware its not the last work you'll need to do!

Finally, if you do hire one go for a bigger version arther thana small one. Small ones are good for pre dug soil whereas you'll ned a really beefy machine which is self propelled because the ground will be so tough. Expect ~£40 per day. Good luck!

[waynebeddall]

Thanks for the advice I might strim it all down fist then at least I can put my shed up, and might start to ig a little at time untill the council does it.

[waynebeddall]

Went today to start to strim and it has been rotavated by the council so alot of digging now. Not sure wether this was a good thing or not now but at least I can start now. yippee

[rustylady]

Thanks for the advice I might strim it all down fist then at least I can put my shed up, and might start to ig a little at time untill the council does it.

You mean your council rotovates your plot for you????? I got mine, shoulder high in brambles and docks and was left to it. 18 months on, it's looking good but it has been hard work.

[waynebeddall]

yes they said upto 6 weeks, but was done for free in just 10 days