Topic: Clearing an allotment

[straush]

hi,
i have just been allocated an allotment with lots of thistle and grass -  however i noticed some artichoke, bramble and other plants.

does anyone have a good site where i can see photos of different weeds ? 

i think there  might be purple sage.  also is it worth keeping anything or do i just clear it out and start afresh.

thanks

[kt.]

Hi, and welcome.  Try online seed catalogues.  They usually have photos of varieties of things that they sell.  Just for starters:

http://www.kingsseeds.com/Ko-Transact/catalogue.asp

Or try here:

http://seeds.thompson-morgan.com/uk/en/?set-country=uk

[ceres]

Welcome to the site and congrats on your new plot.  I can never throw away a plant  that's living and I like to get something for nothing so I would keep the freebies on your plot IF they are things that you like to eat and will use.  No matter how big your plot is, it's never big enough so don't waste space on things that don't earn their keep.

I kept some brambles when I cleared my plot because I love blackberry jam, but you have to keep them under control.  Sage is useful for cooking and you can dry it or freeze it.  Artichokes can be thugs but if you like them, go for it!

I found this site useful for weed ID:

http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk/weedlf.htm

Lots of good info here so ask away and have fun!

[straush]

thank you very much.  did not expect repsonses so quickly. 

will work through the websites.

[manicscousers]

hi, straush,welcome to a4a,
lucky you, we had mare's tail, bindweed and couch grass  ;D

[Mr Smith]

Strauch,
                 You are in the perfect position to get your self sorted out for next year, cut it all back with an Industrial strimmer give it a good spraying with Roundup and kill all the rubbish off and b--ls to going organic, put a load of farmyard manure over the lot of it and next spring you will be up and running, anyway thats what I would do :)

[Larkshall]

Strauch, put a load of farmyard manure over the lot of it and next spring you will be up and running,

Steady on Mr Smith, not all over it. Don't put it on where you will be having root crops or you will finish up with multi-forked roots.

[ceres]

Or just spread the manure over the thistles and couch grass and hey presto, no weeds.

No crops either, but heyho!

[littlebabybird]

if you do decide to cover everything in manure, please read this first,

http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,43062.0.html