Its been a while..

[Mattchewone]

.. Since I last posted.

But here is how my allotment is going since I got it a month or so ago. Been a bit manic with getting down there and planning our wedding in September so heres where I am with it so far.

What I got when I started:

After some initial weeding:


Then I put in some of the veg I had growing in tubs in my garden:


Current state of the Pumpkin:


Got some powdery mildew on the leaves at the minute, going to try the mix of water/milk to kill the fungi so will see how that goes.

I want to tidy up the rest of the plot ready for next year, we weeded almost all of it, and within a week of rain/sun they've almost all come back. What can I do to rid 90%-100% of the weeds?

I'd ideally like to set up some bushes at the bottom end, raspberry, gooseberry and a recurrent bush. Then a row of strawbs, and then the rest will be a mixture of things like potatoes, onions, b-sprouts, broccoli.

Was hoping after my current few plants finish, to dig up and make some bordered rows somehow, just to help define the rows. But not really sure where or how to start, only ever grown stuff in pots at home.

Thanks for looking.
Matt

[Nicos]

Hey!...wow, you've really been working hard!

Fantastic to see your results too- well done doing so much with the distraction of the wedding plans too....when's the wedding date?

[Scarlet]

Welcome back Matt! That's a lovely looking plot and you've obviously worked hard.
You could edge your beds with a little timber - I'm no DIYer so I can't tell you how but I'm sure others will be along soon with some other suggestions.

[Scarlet]

This thread might help.
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ase_84359.html

[noviceveggrower]

Hi there. Wow what a lot of hard work you've put in and you can see the benefit. Your pumpkin looks very impressive.

[Mattchewone]

Is it a good idea to rotovate the entire plot and then built up raised beds in the places I want the beds?

I am worried rotovating might chop up and spread the weeds making it worst.

I like the idea of this - http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ttom-third.jpg

But i think it would be filled with weeds within a few weeks, is it common for people to buy hay/straw down as pathways?

@Nicos - Wedding is September 11th.. Feeling a bit nervous now.

[Nicos]

Nervous is good...not a sign of cold feet

Personally I don't like rotovating- as you say it chops up and can spread weeds.
OH only does it once a year in one compacted area once the weeds are all out.

We had grass paths- once cut per fortnight seemed to keep it under control.

[roitelet]

Don't rotavate if you have perennial weeds. As you say it only makes the problem worse. Dig them out and eventually you will get on top of them.

[Mattchewone]

We have this one weed not sure if its bindweed or chickweed but its like a maze under the mud. You pull it out and try to get the roots and its just lots of runners under the ground.

I'd prefer either blacksheet or something as paths, maybe put sheeting down and some hay or something to make it look less bleek. Less grass cutting the better for me.

Not sure what to do with the weeds or how to create the beds. Thinking doing raised might be good, as it might make it tidier and define the beds better. Could try and make them from pallets, lots of them.
Guessing they will need some treatment otherwise they'll rot, if doing raised beds with the weeds would it be just pulling up as much as possible and then putting in lots of compost/manure to fill them up? Would they need lining or is it best not to so the roots have more to grow?

Thanks

[Jungle Jane]

Yes it's best to let the roots grow deep & to take the nutrients from the earth. The only place I haven't had a problem with weeds is in my raised bed,putting a layer of compost/topsoil on top will suffocate most weeds. There's a good thread about raised beds on here for some ideas.
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ase_84359.html

[WendyC]

Take a wander round the site, you'll see all sorts of layouts. Some have raised beds and are well laid out, using the space well. Others, like mine, are divided in different ways. Pallets are useful but the timber doesn't last long. Personally I wouldn't commit to a fixed layout until you are sure how you are going to use the plot.