Greenleaves '12 month allotment challenge' The new plan!

[Greenleaves]

I have opened this thread to track progress on the new plot I have taken on. I intend to have the complete plot ready for planting in the Autumn and use the remainder of the 12 months to make ready for the erection of a PT.

The first challenge will be ground clearance mainly couch grass

The plot is actually longer than I was told at 98' but what's 18' amongst friends. I will post some pictures later and be requesting help with an apple tree.

My back is aching just thinking about it

[1Bee]

*Settles in*

*makes popcorn*

I rather like weeding for couch grass. The way the strong roots draw through the soil is rather satisfying.

[SusieG]

*Settles in*

*makes popcorn*

I rather like weeding for couch grass. The way the strong roots draw through the soil is rather satisfying.

Ooer 1Bee, steady on there ....

[Greenleaves]

Picture 1. Looking down the plot, I pushed in some bits of timber to show the width.

Picture 2. Looking up the plot, the arch contraction will be on the hit list!

Picture 3. Just a stones throw from my other plot.

Picture 4. The apple tree in situ, i dont have a clue what to do with or indeed if it is worth keeping.

[1Bee]

I did nearly say pleasurable, but thought it was a step too far....

I have spent a LOT of time in the company of the roots of couch grass. And bindweed. Docks. Thistles. Horsetail.

[1Bee]

Lovely, GL!

[Bigmallly]

Good Luck GL................We'll all be "Rooting" for you...................

[Small pumpkin]

Wow you can have a massive polytunnle in a 98' plot. Very cool.
Looking forward to seeing your progress

[Containergardener]

Blimey

[Penellype]

That's not a plot, its a field!!! Lots of fun to be had there.

Re the apple tree, its nicely shaped into an espalier and should be reasonably easy to prune to keep it that way. I would certainly keep it until you know what variety it is.

From https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=319:

How to prune established espaliers
Trees should be pruned annually as growth slows down in August.

Cut back sideshoots growing from the horizontal leaders to three leaves from the basal cluster, 7.5cm (3in) long. Shoots from previously pruned sideshoots should be cut back to one leaf from the basal cluster, 2.5cm (1in) long
If any secondary growths arise after this pruning, cut them back to the base in September. Sideshoots on the vertical stem are best removed completely
If there are large amounts of immature or secondary growth when cordons are pruned in August, delay pruning until mid-September. If this does not reduce secondary growth, prune in winter instead using the same method

[Containergardener]

That's the size(length) of our plot with a house in it .

[Greenleaves]

Thanks Penellype

[Greenleaves]

Spent a couple of hours pacing, measuring and hacking. Decided to uncover hidden detritus before using the strummer so did a bit of manual clearing


.

[SaraJH]

That looks fab, I had no idea that allotment plots were that big.

[Greenleaves]

Not all are Sara