Re Prickly plot

[Chief]

Hi Radish,Hi everyone,
Like Radish I am a new comer & have just managed to be able to rent a bramble patch  plot on a sight near to me.I class my self as lucky as it was the only plot available.Today was my first day at hacking at said brambles,I broke down and cried three times (not nice for an aged male)but my new neighbours at the lottie provided tea and advice and if truth be known I enjoyed every minute of the day.Hope I have managed to post this message correctly as I have L plates on my back for both gardening and computer using.

[Chief]

[grawrc]

Hi chief!
Sounds like you did good on both counts.
It's very tempting when you start to attack everything in sight but try not to do too much. That's how you get demoralised.

Plan how you'd like it to be, then do it a bed at a time. When you've got the first bed ready you can start on the next. Plant the first one as soon as you can (MArch/April?) -don't know where you are- then maintain Plot 1 and start plot 2. When Plot 2 is ready plant it and maintain it and Plot 1. Then start Plot 3. Apart from that do your best to keep the weeds cut down elsewhere and if you want cover with cardboard/ carpet/balck plastic so you don't have to spend all your time cutiing weeds.

If you're not sure what to do or what to plant just ask. There is a huge forum of knowledge here.

Good luck! Enjoy! It's meant to be fun! ;D ;D

[Chief]

Hi grawrc, thanks for the advice I will heed it well.regarding where I am my location is Enfield north london.

[weedbusta]

hi chief,
ive been at mine a year but remember what a complete jungle it was at the begining, good advice from grawrc, dont forget when you stop for a break to sit facing the bit you've just done. inspirational. i'm also a complete novice with computers and posted questions in the wrong boards. most people here are very understanding, and truly no question you ever ask is answered as if your dumb.
I was so happy to see the potatoes id planted last year start to come through the groung i named them all and went on to drown them by watering them to death.you can't be worse than me.

[Chief]

Hi Weedbusta,  Thanks for the advice,first thing i need to aquire is a seat.re potatoes I will try and avoid the same mistake I hope people will be prepared for me asking some daft questions me being an allotment dummy.

[vee]

This is my second season, and I can tell you that digging the same bit the second time around is sooo much easier. Just remember it will never be this difficult again. Good luck with it and I second those who say little and often. Enjoy yourself!

[Svea]

or those of you wishing to do a bit of bedtime reading - you can do worse than joy larkcom's "grow your own vegetables"

does what it says on the tin
happy planning :)

[spacehopper]

Hi chief, sounds like you have your work cut out! Any chance you could borrow a bushcutter for the day to cut down the brambles?

[bupster]

I cut mine down with a pair of secateurs. Took a while  :) but it's done. Immensely satisfying work, though I did end up holding long and abusive conversations with every bramble I attacked.  :D

[delboy]

Right on Bupster - I did the same thing in November and then had a great bonfire at which I warmed my scratched arms and hands.

This is just a warning to all and sundry - don't forget to make sure that your tetanus jabs are up to date.

Scratches could let the meanies in.. and if you have horse manure nearby the risk is multiplied.

[Chief]

Hi All,  A big thank you for all your help and advice,its nice to know that others have either been or currently are in the same situation.

[bupster]

Digging the buggers up is a bit of a sod as well. Already broken one fork, and am leary about using my neighbour's big French tool as it can't be replaced. Anyone know any shortcuts? Or are we doomed, doomed? Don't really mind the hard work, it's just that I've the rest of the lottie to do as well and there's only me...

[grawrc]

Know anyone with a JCB? ;) :P

[bupster]

No, and can't talk the pub boys into doing it for me till they've dug over their own plot, which may take some time... Trained moles perhaps? Or those squirrels in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory looked quite bright, twelve of them to a fork?

[loulou]

try paying the local scouts  a bob a job that may work  ;D