Rotovator alternatives

[Nik]

I've just got a new allotment. As you can see below it's not had any crops in it for quite some time. I suggested to a plot neighbour that I might rotovate it and he said it had a lot of horseradish in so that would be a bad idea. Also I'm a bit thrifty when it comes to veg growing and I don't fancy forking put 50 quid in hire charges if I can help it. My time is a bit limited, does anyone have any tips for getting at least some of the ground in a croppable state by spring that won't cost the earth or take thousands of hours? Or am I asking too much and just need to get digging?
http://1drv.ms/1DBPweA

[WendyC]

Sorry can't get your picture to work. I really wouldn't rotavate. If there are any perennial weeds you will chop them up and spread over the whole plot, horseradish included. Also you will bring all the weed seeds to the top ready to germinate. Investigate ways of smothering the weeds by cardboard or landscape membrane - no dig methods. I have just taken on a second plot and since October have been mainstakingly digging and weeding out couch grass and bindweed at any times it has been workable.

[Nik]

Not sure if that worked any better.
Thanks, I think the rotovate option is out. I think it will be a good two or three years before its in a decent state.

[veggiechicken]

I can see your photo but can't tell what the weeds are They seem to have died off so it could be anything. I agree with Wendy, don't rotovate, smother the weeds with cardboard or summat and clear it a bit at a time. If you can identify the weeds it would help as there may be better ways of dealing with some

[WendyC]

Yes photo works now. You don't have to plant it all in one go as tempting as it is. Focus on a bit at a time, clear and plant (when the time comes), keep on top of the weeds in that section and move on to the next section. There's no fast fix I'm afraid.

[Greenleaves]

Seen a lot worse Nik and I am with the ladies, rotovation often leads to multiplication when it comes to weeds, if you cover areas with cardboard you can plant through it.

[Bigmallly]

I'd divide it into 4 sections, cover 3 of the sections so I can't see it then attack the open section with a rake to see what is underneath all the dead stuff. It may seem less daunting and at least give you an area to plant in come spring.

[crannman]

i divided mine into 3 sections 1st year planted spuds in one bed worked on other two over that year now into my 3rd year all sections are dug over its hard work take your time u will get there

[DannyRam]

It is like eating an elephant. A bit at a time!!!!!!!

[bearded bloke]

As the others say do it a bit at a time, spuds are a good first crop as they block light to the soil due to heavy foliage, another crop on the same basis would be cucubits (courgette,pumpkin,etc)

[Kirk]

Partition it into 3 or 4, may help to check if there is a requirement to have/get cropping in the first year.
Spray, strim, burn (whatever) the weeds and cover the majority leaving one bit, and simply dig that section over steadily.

Add compost, manure or whatever you may want to that section and plant something that is pretty robust and easy. Pick a few different things (looks beter).

Places like Poundland sell potato's as do a few others, garlic is a bit late but easy, try some onions, a few tomato's and other green salad veg, turnip, swede, leeks. There is a fair range and you can easily visit Poundland's or Wilkinsons for a selection.

If interested and wanted you could put a row of currants across the top - I say this as Poundland had blackcurrant and redcurrants in at (as you would expect) £1 each, I got a blackcurrant. So you could get 5 and there is a row of fruit bushes, and you are up and running.

It is like eating an elephant. A bit at a time!!!!!!!

Ahhh, would a whole one at once cause indigestion?
If so that is where I have been going wrong.
Might also explain the odd looks when I ask for a bap to fit that elephant.