Encroaching weeds

[TrixC]

We took on our first allotment last year. In hindsight we probably made a bad decision picking a plot at the edge of the site - it is peaceful and larger than other plots on the site, but overshadowed by a neighbouring house/tree for part of the day and a long way from the communal manure etc.

The bigger problem is weeds. We've just about got on top of the ones on our actual plot, but the problem is that we have a strip of waste land on two sides of us, and the plots on the other two sides of us are now vacant (they were let last year but both parties seem to have given up). So we now have brambles, nettles and bindweed encroaching on us from all sides. I'm really at my wit's end what to do about it. In theory the council is supposed to strim vacant plots, but they don't. There are other vacant plots on the site but I don't want to move plots because we've planted a number of fruit trees and bushes, not to mention hours and hours of work clearing the plot and building raised beds.

[Cadalot]

It's always a problem, especially when people give up and the council are not on the ball. You are indeed lucky if the council strim vacant plots most do very little and are looking at ways of doing less.

Get on the committee and see what can be arranged and chase the council if they are indeed offering that service. Find out how many people are on the waiting list and give the council a kick up the rear as the never put themselves out to let people take on vacant plots until the renewal in October

Where as if the plot is now vacant they could let someone have it early for free to get a foot hold for next year and at least get the weed down and the plot covered in weed membrane or cardboard etc.

What about an Allotment strimming work party BBQ to clear the weeds because in the long run if the weed go to seed it going to affect everyone within 3 -4 plots of the vacant plots.

[TrixC]

Unfortunately we don't have a committee, although some members (including us) are trying to organise to get one going.

Like the idea of the strimming party, although we've recently had a site clean-up along the same lines so not sure what the appetite will be for another.

[Baldy]

Could you start laying down cardboard or other suppressant to try to maintain the boundary gaps?

[Cadalot]

OK if no committee but council run, normally each plot has a council rep, have you identified who on your allotment is the council rep? When I asked on mine I found out there was not one (small with 14 full plots some split into half plots) and I was asked to take the post up by the allotment officer at the council.

To get any type of group or committee off the ground you need a minimum of 3 people who want to make it happen. The rules and the way councils work re allotments are changing and in our area if you don't have a committee on the allotment, you can no longer get grants for improvements or even maintenance items.

It's worth pursuing if you want too try and make things happen. Perhaps suggest the person who arranged the site clean up become the rep, those interested parties that want to get a committee going should discuss it.