New allotment/weeds and getting ready for spring?

[Mudandspud]

Hi all

Have just this weekend taken on a half size plot. I am thankful that it is not a neglected weed ridden plot but the raised beds have a few weeds in. Whats the best way to get rid.....apply glyphosate? dig them up? compost them?

Any advice on how to get these beds ready for spring planting would be apreciated.

Have a look at the photos on my blog

Mud 'n' Spuds

Thank you
Pat x

[Hazel at the Hill]

Welcome to the Vine, Pat!

Wow - lucky you with a plot ready to go! The only problems I can foresee are from the shade from that tree, but that' being a bit picky in the scheme of things compared to how most plots are taken on.

You only use glysophate (if ever) on perennial weeds that you can't shift any other way, and I can't see that you have any worries there.

Think about what you want to eat next year, which will lead to a list of stuff that you want to grow. You can then start planning your plot. If you want to plant fruit bushes, you are coming up to the right time of year to do that.

You can also plant garlic now, and overwintering onions. You might want to put some broad beans and peas in to overwinter. Where you want to grow potatoes next year, try and get hold of some horse manure and fill your raised beds (don't bother digging in).

And most of all, have fun with it all!

[Bren In Pots]

Hello and welcome to the vine Pat that's the best looking 'new' plot I've seen here

have a read at this thread there's lots of tip on getting those beds ready :-

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ing_75463.html

[Mudandspud]

Hi Hazel, many thanks for your reply

The plot will be in shade from early evening onwards so Im not to worried about that. It ticks all the boxes otherwise and you cant have it all unless you sit and wait, and wait, and wait for the ideal plot to come along!

With manure, if I can only get "fresh" you shouldnt use it to plant in for several months.....is that right?

Can I compost those weeds or is it advisable not too?

Thank you Hazel for your planting advice. I love broad beans and peas

[Mudandspud]

Hello and welcome to the vine Pat that's the best looking 'new' plot I've seen here

have a read at this thread there's lots of tip on getting those beds ready :-

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ing_75463.html

I know, Im lucky arent I!

Thanks Bren for the link...Ill take a look. (keen to work out what lasagne gardening is!)

[Hazel at the Hill]

With manure, if I can only get "fresh" you shouldnt use it to plant in for several months.....is that right?

It can be as fresh as you like if you bung it on to the beds now - by the time you come to plant spuds in the Spring it will have had the best part of 6 months to rot down.

Can I compost those weeds or is it advisable not too?

They all look like annual weeds to me, and as such can all be composted in your bins.

[Bigmallly]

Welcome to the vine Pat, you could save yourself a bit of work & just hoe the beds leaving the weeds on the surface to rot down. 2nd option is to dig a trench & bury them.

[alldigging]

Looks really good!

[WendyC]

You'll be up and running in no time. Still time to plant some onions, garlic and broad beans.
If it was me I'd think about how I was going to maintain the grass paths between the beds. If they are too narrow for a law mower you've a lot of strimming to do. Or else you replace it with something else. Various options could include landscape fabric and bark chippings or layers or cardboard. Carpet is generally not recommended these days due to the problems of getting rid of it when it eventually breaks down and the possibility of chemicals from the carpet leaching into the soil. Enjoy your new plot.

[Mudandspud]

Welcome to the vine Pat, you could save yourself a bit of work & just hoe the beds leaving the weeds on the surface to rot down. 2nd option is to dig a trench & bury them.

Good idea. I'll do that. I was going to pull them out by hand as I find weeding quite therapeutic in my garden at home but theres too many at the allotment!

[Mudandspud]

You'll be up and running in no time. Still time to plant some onions, garlic and broad beans.
If it was me I'd think about how I was going to maintain the grass paths between the beds. If they are too narrow for a law mower you've a lot of strimming to do. Or else you replace it with something else. Various options could include landscape fabric and bark chippings or layers or cardboard. Carpet is generally not recommended these days due to the problems of getting rid of it when it eventually breaks down and the possibility of chemicals from the carpet leaching into the soil. Enjoy your new plot.

Thansk for your advice Wendy. Hubs will be in charge of the strimming Its definately something to bear in mind to save time in the long run.