My New Plot

[Mr Gardener]

So I have an allotment, much like everyone else who gets one it's overgrown, however my neighbour has been kind enough to lay some heavy tarpaulin over the majority of it, keeping the weeds down.

I took my Daughter down there at the weekend (she had been naughty!) so it's moved on a little from when these pics were taken a month or so ago. Looking at putting some overwintering onions and garlic in shortly (if it ever stops raining).

I have a supply of decking coming up at Xmas so will stick a few raised beds in.

Looking for any advice on tarps (the neighbor is wanting his back) or anything else I haven't yet thought of.

[Bigmallly]

The obvious answer is large cardboxes. The sort you get from cycle shops or bed suppliers, the bigger the better. Newspaper can be used but is a bit messy. Old rolls of wallpaper maybe. Anything really that will block out the light. Just make sure it is well weighted down.

[sparrow100]

I use bike boxes, and for complete overkill stlck a tarp over the top. Am reeeeeeelly looking forward to uncovering some easy digging next year.

[noviceveggrower]

I would say cardboard to kill the weeds. Bit of a strange one but have you gone over your plot with a rake. My new plot had loads of grass on it so I went over it with a rake and shed loads came up. Not too hard just like if your raking up grass off a lawn.

[Mr Gardener]

Sounds like I need to change my shopping habits and only buy stuff which comes in massive cardboard boxes!

I'll definitely get the rake out when I uncover everything, the neighbour suggested that and having had a peek I can see the allotment has a bit of a Bobby Charlton comb over going on under the covers so a bit of light raking should sort it out.

In everyone's experience is there much I can do once winter has truly set in or am I better at that point to leave it alone for a while?

[w33blegurl]

I'd have a go at some digging and getting rid of the weeds over winter, assuming the ground isn't sodden. Just do a little at a time though and depending on the weeds you have, you might well need to go over some of the areas more than once to get all the roots out! As everyone else has said, cardboard is great and it will make a big difference when you get to those bits!

[sparrow100]

Sounds like I need to change my shopping habits and only buy stuff which comes in massive cardboard boxes!

I'll definitely get the rake out when I uncover everything, the neighbour suggested that and having had a peek I can see the allotment has a bit of a Bobby Charlton comb over going on under the covers so a bit of light raking should sort it out.

In everyone's experience is there much I can do once winter has truly set in or am I better at that point to leave it alone for a while?

It depends what soil you've got. I'm on heavy clay so from about next month till March my plot's too sodden to work. My paths turn into moats. Winter months can be good for putting in structures - like paths, sheds etc.

[Greenleaves]

Not going to add to anything that has already been said except enjoy

[Mr Gardener]

It depends what soil you've got. I'm on heavy clay so from about next month till March my plot's too sodden to work. My paths turn into moats. Winter months can be good for putting in structures - like paths, sheds etc.

I'm clay but I guess I won't know how heavy until I get all the covers off and see what the old girl can take in terms of precipitation

[KevinM67]

I'd have a go at some digging and getting rid of the weeds over winter, assuming the ground isn't sodden. Just do a little at a time though and depending on the weeds you have, you might well need to go over some of the areas more than once to get all the roots out! As everyone else has said, cardboard is great and it will make a big difference when you get to those bits!

I've got to agree with this.

Having heavy clay soil and loads of couch grass, brambles, docks and many other perennial tough stuff - I found digging them up on crisp/frosty/icy days a lot easier than normal. However, when the soil was sodden/soaking wet - then digging was out of the question.

Over the winter months, working during the week and having limited decent days at the weekends - I have to get out to the plot to keep my sanity, and have great enjoyment pottering about, planning, making raised beds, paths, compost bins and general diy stuff.
It may cold, but wear the right clothes and take a few drinks of your fancy - you'll love it.

[vixylix]

It may cold, but wear the right clothes and take a few drinks of your fancy - you'll love it.

My FIL tells me there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. My hands usually disagree though

[ESBkevin]

Another vote for cardboard. You can get lots from the back of shops especially electrical shops or furniture shops. Also Industrial sites often receive goods in plain boxes they then have to dispose of. Avoid too much print and take out staples/tape etc.

For a real easy dig next spring, lay cardboard and cover with anything compost-able (so that grass, rotted leaves, old wood chip etc). The lack of light kills the weeds and the worms will work their way up through the cardboard and pull down the composting material. You end up able to either plant straight through it in the spring, or it digs over nicely.

[Mr Gardener]

Thanks again all. I have one issue with the Cardboard solution - I don't drive so short of lugging massive cardboard boxes on public transport I'll struggle to get them to the allotment and it'll take an unimaginably large number of cereal boxes to cover an allotment!

[Elfeda]

as you got loads of black plastic to cover that's enough. try clearing one patch at a time, this would help you to have defined beds and paths automatically.