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Hello there, I have been reading many threads and blogs across the net and this seemed to be recommended as a place to come for advice. Most blogs also encourage you to document your progress on forums etc and so I hope I am posting in the right area, apologies if not.
In short about 5 weeks ago after being on a waiting list I was allocated a half plot at my local allotment. This plot is overrun with weeds and so needed a lot of work, so much so the person running it has voided the rent for this year and apologised for its state profusely. To be honest whatever plot I was given I wanted to make my own mark!
So, the plot.... It is divided into 8 raised beds which seem to have been built well albeit in a couple of places the boards have rotted (mainly due to being so overgrown they have remained damp even through the hot periods. Luckily last night I found a spare plank buried in mud on the plot which I am hoping will dry out and be a good patch up tool!
The whole plot is covered in about 4ft high weeds and has a few wood framed nets embedded into the weeds as well as loads of rotted wood dumped on it, carpet, membrane. There are paths which are also covered in weeds albeit I have found out they do have membrane on but it has been left for so long that the weeds have grown on top of this.
So, my plan...... I began digging each bed. I aim to clear every bed of weeds so it is down to soil level. I have been told that the only issue with this is that the weeds will rapidly come back. And they have on one bed (ill explain why just on one in a minute!) but I can manage that. When a bit bigger I will spend time pulling these up. I am under no illusion that one clearance will rid me of weeds forever but 2cm high weeds compared to 4ft is much more appreciated!
The first bed I cleared I planted some spare runner bean seeds I had left over (planted a few in my garden). I was then given some cabbage so planted those as well. This was more just to give me something to "play with" whilst labouring away. If they don't work I really don't mind. But this is the bed that weeds are growing on mainly because I am watering it. But I can deal with that.
The other beds I am covering with things left by the previous owner, membrane, plastic sheet in the hope it will suppress the weeds a tad. (The carpet is absolutely rotted so not using that).
The bed system he created is perfect for me, so much more workable.
I work long weeks and my weekends really are dedicated to two young children so time is limited for the allotment. At the moment clearing it is taking place as many evenings as possible once the kids are in bed, but this is hard as daylight limits the hours!
I want a low'ish maintenance plot but also want to actually grow things and not just basics! The reason I got the allotment was a bit of an outdoor activity for me but also to encourage the kids to see how things grow. My eldest (nearly 3) loves digging (although dug up the new runner beans last week) and so this is for them as well.
I aim to make one of the beds grass, so as a family we can just have lunch on the grass whilst daddy digs and plants etc. The other beds I want to map out and plan with what we will actually eat. So I will update this thread with my progress, I appreciate not everyone will care less but having used forums over the years for many hobbies I think they are invaluable.
Pictures of the "before" are attached.
In short about 5 weeks ago after being on a waiting list I was allocated a half plot at my local allotment. This plot is overrun with weeds and so needed a lot of work, so much so the person running it has voided the rent for this year and apologised for its state profusely. To be honest whatever plot I was given I wanted to make my own mark!
So, the plot.... It is divided into 8 raised beds which seem to have been built well albeit in a couple of places the boards have rotted (mainly due to being so overgrown they have remained damp even through the hot periods. Luckily last night I found a spare plank buried in mud on the plot which I am hoping will dry out and be a good patch up tool!
The whole plot is covered in about 4ft high weeds and has a few wood framed nets embedded into the weeds as well as loads of rotted wood dumped on it, carpet, membrane. There are paths which are also covered in weeds albeit I have found out they do have membrane on but it has been left for so long that the weeds have grown on top of this.
So, my plan...... I began digging each bed. I aim to clear every bed of weeds so it is down to soil level. I have been told that the only issue with this is that the weeds will rapidly come back. And they have on one bed (ill explain why just on one in a minute!) but I can manage that. When a bit bigger I will spend time pulling these up. I am under no illusion that one clearance will rid me of weeds forever but 2cm high weeds compared to 4ft is much more appreciated!
The first bed I cleared I planted some spare runner bean seeds I had left over (planted a few in my garden). I was then given some cabbage so planted those as well. This was more just to give me something to "play with" whilst labouring away. If they don't work I really don't mind. But this is the bed that weeds are growing on mainly because I am watering it. But I can deal with that.
The other beds I am covering with things left by the previous owner, membrane, plastic sheet in the hope it will suppress the weeds a tad. (The carpet is absolutely rotted so not using that).
The bed system he created is perfect for me, so much more workable.
I work long weeks and my weekends really are dedicated to two young children so time is limited for the allotment. At the moment clearing it is taking place as many evenings as possible once the kids are in bed, but this is hard as daylight limits the hours!
I want a low'ish maintenance plot but also want to actually grow things and not just basics! The reason I got the allotment was a bit of an outdoor activity for me but also to encourage the kids to see how things grow. My eldest (nearly 3) loves digging (although dug up the new runner beans last week) and so this is for them as well.
I aim to make one of the beds grass, so as a family we can just have lunch on the grass whilst daddy digs and plants etc. The other beds I want to map out and plan with what we will actually eat. So I will update this thread with my progress, I appreciate not everyone will care less but having used forums over the years for many hobbies I think they are invaluable.
Pictures of the "before" are attached.
I'm another south Londoner, but a long way from there now.
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