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Allotment methords to use.....

Last post 08-09-2010 9:40 AM by EvaInNL. 3 replies.

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  • 07/09/2010 05:10 PM
    • Anthony
    • Preesall
    • 24 Mar 2010
    • 194
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    I have recently taken on an allotment and was wondering what sort of methord to use. It is full of weeds and is quite big so can anybody please helpTongue Tied

    Visit my blog anthonysgarden.wordpress.com
  • 07/09/2010 05:21 PM
    In reply to
    • Linnea
    • 13 Jan 2007
    • 53
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    Best advice I can give is to arbitarily divide it up and clear a small patch at a time. then don't worry about the rest cos eventually you'll get to it. I found taking off all the top growth and then using a fork to get the roots out the best way but it is hard work and you don't seem to get much done at one time

    Looking at a whole new plot is daunting and new allotmenteers get disheartened very quickly when the weeds keep coming back (and they will!) but keep going and they do give up! (the weeds I mean)

     

    IdeaAnother thought is to get a party of people (friends etc) to come help clear it. offer them some free food (BBQ?) and a drink or two and some will help!
  • 08/09/2010 08:22 AM
    In reply to
    • willco
    • SE london
    • 05 Mar 2009
    • 30
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    First of all well done on getting an allotment...don't be disheartened about the weeds just focus on the wonderful veg and flowers you will have!! I took on an allotment earlier this year and had a similar problem; as well as being overgrown with weeds I have a problem with couch grass and well established nettles.

    I found it easier to manage when I sectioned it off and dealt with one section at a time. Dig, dig and dig is the only long term solution but it didn't feel half as painful when I was able to plant in each section as I cleared it. I also found it useful to put thick plastic over the overgrown sections as it seemed to weaken the weeds.

    Now is a good time to be digging - ground has some mositure but not too soggy so should be easier to get at the weed roots. If you don't fancy planting winter veg you could dig in some manure ready for spring planting.

    Good luck and don't give up Big Smile

     

    God made rainy days so gardeners could get the housework done
  • 08/09/2010 09:40 AM
    In reply to
    • EvaInNL
    • Holland
    • 25 Sep 2009
    • 1,758
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    Hi Anthony, congrats on getting your allotment! I got mine at the beginning of this year, so I remember well how daunting it was.

    I did what was suggested above, divided the plot up into sections by placing paving tiles. Back breaking work but it does give you a sense of control when you can then 'attack' one bed at a time. I made rather an elaborate planting design on excel (I had a lot of time to kill over the winter Wink) which helps with crop rotation and figuring out which plants need what type of extra nutrients for example and how many plants will fit into each bed.

    Putting plastic (or old carpet) over the beds is good advice, but you could also think of planting green manure to smother the weeds and add nutrients to the soil for next year. There was a bit on Gardeners World about that last week.

    If you want to see how I got on since Februrary then feel free to visit my 'blog' and the Allotment '10 photo album: http://evavooijs.spaces.live.com/blog/?fl=a.