Another New Allotment Tenant

[Jon_Scun]

I have today been granted my very own allotment. I've been to see it, and it is one large patch of weeds (looks likes thistles, grasses, and other things i can't name!)

Help!

Is it a huge mistake to leap straight in with a rotovator? I am sorely tempted...

[OverWyreGrower]

Congratulations!

Don't rotavate!

Try and get the use of a strimmer to take the weeds down to a manageable height.

What looks like grass could be couch grass, and rotavating it into the ground makes it grow more (I know this cos its what I did!)

Your best bet is to strim it all, and cover over what you're not going to dig.

Then pull up and dig out all the weeds, roots, and other nasties you find.

Only do it a small bit at a time, otherwise you'll be overfaced with the job you've got!

[Sebbster]

Jon,

Dont rotovate... You will only chop what roots there are into smaller roots, both making them multiply and harder to pull out.

I started with a plot full of weeds.

The best way to do it is as owg says, cover what you can for now and the rest, divide into manageable chunks and dig it, removing weeds as you go. It does sound overbearing at the start I know, but really it's the best way.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll find plenty of help from the other grapes.

[Jon_Scun]

What about Roundup?

[denise]

I don't know about roundup sorry - but the advice above is grteat and if i can add divide it into beds 4 ft wide by whatever you want long, as long as not too long or you will be tempted to cut across. i divided mine into beds and my OH could then see how managable it could be, you can thendo a bed at a time. Cover or plant any soil you do get round or the weed seeds will soon take over again. Try and get someting in so you can see an achievment and when harvest comes you can have a reward for your hard work.
Most of all enjoy it. Good Luck and happy gardening

Welcome to the vine, loads of excellent and advice on here, as well as many intersting items - lots of photos of others plots and gardens, for ideas and that 'i could do that' factor.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Well done on getting your lottie Jon! Roundup is the best type of weedkiller to put down - don't rotavate! Like everyone says it'll spread the weeds around.
Once youve put roundup down, you could also try putting down large sheets of cardboard, or black plastic to help kill the weeds off. Of course, this will take time, but leave it a couple of weeks and then take a bit up and start to get rid of the weeds - if you divide it up and do it a bit at a time (like wot I did) then it won't seem as bad!
Try looking at my little thread "I've got one!" which shows photos of my lottie as I've gone along - and yes you will get there! Honest! Good luck! Please keep asking questions and we'll try and help you. Bernie
PS Whereabouts in Scunny is your lottie?

[Jon_Scun]

Allotment in on Buckingham Avenue.


If i use roundup and leave it a couple of weeks, can i then rotovate it all in?!!

[rustylady]

Don't rotovate! As everyone else has said it just spreads weeds around, specially perennial ones like couch grass, dandelion, and docks.
I don't like using chemical weedkillers, but if you must then Roundup is a good one. Take your time - clear a bit properly, then plant it with something so you see results - you need encouragement. A whole plot covered in weeds or carpets is a depressing sight. This time next year you will be telling us all how well your crops have grown!

[Snadger]

Allotment in on Buckingham Avenue.


If i use roundup and leave it a couple of weeks, can i then rotovate it all in?!!

YES...may take a bit longer than a couple of weeks though...wait til all the top growth is dead!
If it was me and I was going to use Glyphosate (Roundup) I would spray area. Give it a couple of weeks and you should be able to see area's you have missed. Spray again, leave a few weeks, ...make sure all top growth is dead, then rotovate!

Or if you are a glutton for punishment like me, dig a four foot bed, plant a four foot bed, Ad infinitum!

[dexterdoglancashire]

I remember Buckingham Avenue Jon (mind you going back to the early 1980s!). Like Snadger says, dont rotavate until you are sure everything is dead! Otherwise you are only get more weeds later! I'm a traditional gal myself - spade dug over my lottie (twice) all by my little ownsum (OH not allowed!) to ensure I got rid of most weeds before doing anything. But I was lucky enough to get it before Christmas! Bernie

[Mrs Dobby]

Hi Jon and a warm welcome to the madhouse!

[bubblewrap]

I would strim off the tall weeds and dig that way you can get out all(sorry most) of the roots. I don't like using weed killer as you may kill something you wish to keep. It may take longer but worth it in the long run.

[NOG]

Burn it off.......

I tend to make a fire in the centre of the plot and then go round and cut down any big stuff with lopers and then strim it over. add it all to the fire then rake out the embers over the plot and they will burn it back to the earth.

Then rough dig out the roots and burn them and rotovte it adding manure or organic matter as you go.

[SarzWix]

I have today been granted my very own allotment. I've been to see it, and it is one large patch of weeds (looks likes thistles, grasses, and other things i can't name!)

Help!

Is it a huge mistake to leap straight in with a rotovator? I am sorely tempted...

Hi Jon, welcome to the 'Vine.
When I was faced with the same, back in Feb, I didn't have the option of glyphosate because nothing was 'in full growth'. So I strimmed everything down, then measured the plot and worked out a plan of how I wanted it to look. We went and invested in a large quantity of weed suppressing fabric, marked out where the first 2 beds were going to be, and covered the rest up. Gradually we've dug over 4 beds, and it's hard going, but the sense of satisfaction is immense when you've cleared and planted up another bed.
I think, if I'd had the option at the beginning, I probably would have sprayed, but i would only have rotavated after a rough dig, as I seem to have a Roman road and 3 greenhouses worth of glass just under soil level... As it is, we're only having to dig where the beds are going - the paths are mowed which is already beginning to weaken some of the weeds
Good luck, whichever way you decide to go, and don't forget the old cliche "Nature abhors a vaccuum" - either plant or cover cleared ground or the weeds will move straight back in