Newbie

[Woo1428]

Hello everyone, I’ve recently managed to get an allotment in my local village one that was apparently looked well after for yrs until the next owner decided to let weeds grow all over again t for two yrs!

It’s a half plot so not too big and perfectly manageable for myself (I hope) I’ve seen plenty of Charles dowding via YouTube and have chosen to go the no dig approach currently the plot has been half covered wit cardboard from a local bike shop and the next step for me is to buy raosed planters and fill them with compost.

Not sure how I can post any pictures off my iPhone yet but will have a look and post some shots as I progress.

If anyone has any advice for no dig I’d be really grateful and look forward to meeting some allotment legends!

Karl.

[veggiechicken]

Hi Karl and welcome to the Forum.
Can you make some "frames" for raised beds out of decking board or scrap wood? Buying raised bed planters could work out expensive!

You may not be able to post pictures yet as you've only just joined us. Don't let that stop you taking them though! When you've made a few more posts you should be able to show us your progress.

[bikermike]

welcome! and enjoy!

I'd second the point about not spending a lot on raised planters (unless you want to).
I'd try to keep things a bit flexible until you have been on the plot a bit to see which bits get soggy/are shaded etc.

[Baldy]

Welcome along...

My raised beds were 'built' using old decking board I was given... you don't have to raise them too high...

[Jay-ell]

My edged beds are made using gravel board - but here's a thing. Raised beds != edged beds. Once you get the manure, compost etc layered on the bed is going to be raised up from the paths. Slugs can hide in the edged of the bed if you surround it with wood.

Not buying wood just yet gives you the option of changing bed size, position, depth without having to buy new wood - or even go to a big bed layout.

P.S. oh yeah, welcome to the vine.

[Greenleaves]

Welcome to the vine, enjoy the benefits of the advice and humour

[hamamelis]

Welcome!

The first rule of allotmenteering is don't spend money unless you have to!

Premade raised beds tend to be expensive, small and designed primarily to look nice. They're aimed at back gardens, where space is at a premium and looking good is important. For an allotment, you can cobble something together not just cheaper but better, as it's the right size for your plot. Might not win Chelsea gold, but hey...

Or try non-edged. It does have its advantages.

Enjoy your new plot!

[Jay-ell]

The first rule of allotmenteering is don't spend money unless you have to!

The second rule of allotmenteering is there is noting that can't be fixed with string, duct tape or a 6 inch nail.

[Woo1428]

Wow loads of advice already and plenty that makes sense! I’ll be holding off for the raised beds for now and will keep an eye on the plot to see where it collects water etc.

Are there many people on here using he ‘no dig’ method at all?

Thanks for the warm welcome and advice so far people.

[veggiechicken]

Lots of us "No dig" for a variety of reasons - and there are diggers too! Some do a bit of both - or just make it up as they go along.

[Jay-ell]

I'm the last variety. I dig, but only horizontally.

[ESBkevin]

Hello and welcome.

I'm doing some no dig. I have a full plot and am doing no dig on one half. I have not put timber borders around the no dig beds, they are just laid out and slightly mounded in the open Charles dowding style (but his have far more organic and look better).

The downside I currently experiencing is in relation to wildlife (which is lovely). In the winter the mulch contains a food source for birds and they pull it about to get worms and bugs. Also being very rich in worms it's a magnet for a mole! Don't be fooled into thinking no dig means no work, by the time you've collected, barrowed and spread all that organic material you will have got some exercise, it's just different and gets easier as the years go by because you need less and less new material.

I'm sticking with it.

[Chris11]

Welcome Karl, and good luck

No Dig certainly makes a lot of sense to me too.

[Woo1428]

Here’s a question what do people do about pathways with no dig? Just put cardboard down until it rots away or put bark chippings down? Or do they leave a little place for slugs to hide as well?

Already realising that ha thering enough material for the no dig is going to be hard work but if I start small and do small manageable areas at a time I’m hoping I can enjoy the process whilst growing some nice fruit and veg. The biggest issue will be sourcing manure for free or at the best price I can get I suppose? Any help/advice would be great on that front.

[Jay-ell]

You could use wood chip / chipped bark on the paths or you could grow grass on it and mow/strim to keep it short. With grass you get free mulch material as well.

In the Jungle plot I have paving slabs. In the New Territories I've got the paths covered with newspaper and a light covering of grass/shredded hedge ontop to kill off the weeds so that I can sow grass in a year or two.