Need a pep talk!

[Charlie_Newbie]

Hello

I took on an allotment back in March, but following that I ended up ill and also hurt my back quite badly. I've been trying to keep up with the allotment, but while my back was bad I didn't go down for a month. As you can imagine, during summer it was covered in weeds. So with thanks to my partner, we went down once I was doing better and strimmed the lot and covered it with weed cover. I hoped I could then do little bits and start growing for autumn

However I've just been down and the cover has ripped and most of the allotment is visible again. I feel quite down about it. I'm planning to go over first thing and start digging it over and weeding. I knew it would be hard, but this is demoralising. I have quite a commute for work, so I really only get a chance to go over on the weekends.

Oh well. I'll start weeding tomorrow, and sow some winter salad greens. Hoping to do some broadbeans too.

Thankfully the previous person had rhubarb, gooseberries, raspberries. So I have been growing some fruit. I love being on the allotment, even weeding is quite relaxing. I really hope I don't have to give it up.

[Bigmallly]

Hello Charlie & welcome to the Jungle, I can empathise with you regarding keeping a plot up with a dodgy back. All I can suggest is you try to source some cardboard (Cycle shops are a good source). Cover as much of the plot as you can, this will help suppress the weeds then work on a small area at a time.............Do not overdo it as it will just knock you back in the long term...........Good luck pal.

[Jungle Jane]

Hello Charlie,I don't have an allotment,I grow everything in my garden,a lot of people go through this problem so don't worry. I've just sowed some swede in my spare gap in the garden,you could probably sow quite a few & turnips (I don't have space for any). Winter gem lettuce grow well outside in the winter,the aphids love them & then the ladybirds love them. You could also use a green manure to cover some beds & dig them in in 6 months time,it'll benefit the soil & look green,some flower too which would be nice for wildlife & you.

[Jungle Jane]

If you sow some mustard as a green manure it will be beneficial to where youre planning on putting your potatoes in the spring. I don't know much about it but trials have shown decrease in pest problems which is always nice~
Keen as mustard | AHDB Potatoes

[muddled]

Don't be downhearted!

Autumn is the best time for clearing a plot anyway and you can have it all ready for your spring sowing next year!
The last thing you want to do is make it feel like a chore!

[sparrow100]

Sounds like you had a tough start. But like you said, weeding is therapeutic...

Have you let the people who run the allotments know you've been poorly? Only saying as, being on the committee, we don't always find out until we have to give someone a warning letter that they've been not well. In which case the letter wouldn't have been sent...

Focusing on spring sowing and sorting growing space for next year is a good plan.

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

Hi Charlie! Welcome from me too!

To be honest I wouldn't get overly concerned at this time of year especially!

As the growing season is now entering it's end, and things starting to go over including weeds, given a few weeks, it is far easier to clear the ground come Autumn time!

But that said! Don't hang about, cause if ya don't, come spring they will have all self seeded n be absolutely rampant!

Use this window of opportunity well! All the best with it! Sure you'll be sorted for next year!

[cariann88]

Hello Charlie,

Your not alone. I only got my allotment not long ago. It was covered in weeds and horsetail(still is) But I am doing it bit by bit. Digging one area and covering it and leaving it till next year.

Don't over do it. Do bits at a time and you will soon have it ready for nexts year

[Charlie_Newbie]

Thank you!

Hi

Thank you everyone, it's really kind of you to respond. I am feeling buoyed up! I will start clearing it tomorrow, and aiming to go every sunday to do a little bit more. I hadn't quite realised what green manures were, but thanks for explaining. I'll do that. I like the idea of growing turnips and mustard greens too, another to add to my list. Thanks so much for responding.

[SusieG]

Hiya Charlie ~ welcome to the Vine. As the others have said, don't panic with the lottie, day at a time and with Autumn coming upon us, time to take stock, cover with green manures/cardboard/weed suppressant, sow a few overwintering bits 'n bobs - then come spring you'll be able to start your efforts in earnest ....!
Good luck, and enjoy the benefits of all the advice available here ~ and the banter, too ...!

[WendyC]

Have you let the people who run the allotments know you've been poorly? Only saying as, being on the committee, we don't always find out until we have to give someone a warning letter that they've been not well. In which case the letter wouldn't have been sent.

I certainly would get in first with a explanation / apology for the state of your plot. Before now we've had working parties to clear and cover plots for people who temporarily are unable to work their plots. You never know!

[Scarlet]

I hadn't quite realised what green manures were, but thanks for explaining. I'll do that. I like the idea of growing turnips and mustard greens too, another to add to my list. Thanks so much for responding.

Green manures are a great idea but remember that you will have to dig them all in come Spring and dig out the perennial weeds to. It might save you more time and effort in the early days to just cover over with card and leave till Spring the ones you can't get to now.

Post some photos up as you go...show us how bad it is and as you progress you will be able to see your progress. It's a great motivator!

[Charlie_Newbie]

Thank you for your messages. That's a fair point about having to still dig out the perennial weeds out. I did go down to the allotment but the ground is so hard and dry I didn't get particularly far. Attached is an image of the allotment. We strimmed the lot a few weeks ago and covered it in weed material but very little of it stayed down. Half of the allotment had weeds that had thick sticks so they've ripped the material too.

This is what the allotment looked like this morning. I've tidied up the cover but I think it's too flimsy. Would tarpaulin work?

[Scarlet]

I personally find cardboard works best. I weigh it down with lots of grass clippings and plenty of bricks...but you can weigh it down with bags of mud, or cover the card with a load of manure if you can get it. Bike boxes are great, pop to halfords, or your local supermarket. Get the biggest bits you can find.