Topic: Oh heck! Now I'm scared!

[posie]

Ok, so this is what I'm starting with......could be worse I know....least it's grass and not brambles.  Somewhere at the back is my shed!!!

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l274/posiepain/firstsiteofallotment.jpg

[silverbirch]

Lets hope it isn't couch grass!!  Just think of it as a green manure.

Bit of psychology for you.  Treat it as a series of 4' wide strips - and buy lots of black plastic.

Do put up a picture this time next year.

[manicscousers]

you never know, there may be gems hidden under the grass, fruit bushes, strawberries, even rhubarb  ;D

[posie]

Well we think there's a gooseberry bush and possibly black currant and I did find one spud, a strawberry and an onion! lol ;D

[miniroots]

Good luck!!

I definately recommend covering a lot of it and doing one bit at a time -

There is a very similar plot on our site which has been taken on by numerous people - it is a massive meadow and no one seems to get beyond strimming it, digging a patch the size of a postage stamp and then giving up.

The current holders have strimmed it twice, but not got any further... they need black plastic!

My plot is a lot smaller and I'm just gradually reclaiming a bit more each year - on my third season I'm still only cultivating about half! 

So be realistic, enjoy it and don't put your back out on your first weekend!

Sophie

[posie]

Thanks Sophie for encouragement. Going up there tomorrow to strim the lot back and cover as much as I can in black plastic.  Then I intend to dig the first bed, and if I'm in time see if I can put some peas in. Or failing that some pretty flowers! lol determined something is going to be planted in it!  :)

[cambourne7]

why not see if you can borrow a couple of goats or a couple of sheep??

[posie]

That was first thing I asked about - but big no no even for a couple of hours up there, chooks only apparently.  :(