Basics of clearing a site

[newspud9]

Hooray - got my allotment today; 10 metres square.  But I'm a real novice - so much so that despite looking at many postings, I'm still not sure on clearing.  Can I please call on your generosity to get me started?

Plot had been well looked after .. until a few years ago, and is now overgrown by a couple of feet (grasses, nettles,dandelions and unidentifiables - but no real nasties as far as I can tell).

I'm patient with a long-term view so don't need to be sowing veggies tomorrow.  I've cleared all the old pots, netting etc.  Now, do I (i) reduce everything as much as possible with a strimmer, then (ii) add my friendly weedkiller and wait till its done its stuff, then (iii) remove dead matter, then (iv) rotovate, then (v) sow.     At what point am I supposed to cover everything with carpet - or is that an alternative step to the weedkiller.
Is black sheet plastic more effective than carpet.  If I use either, and wait for what's under to die, do I have to remove the dead matter - or does it get turned when I rotovate; see, I said I was a novice!

Does the stuff I remove with a strimmer simply get put into a composter. What other matter should I add to it for best results.
The ground does roll a bit. Will the rotovator get everything level
There's also a "coffin-size" earth mound covered in grass and other growth. Any suggestions on how to work this down?

There are some berry bushes (cant tell what kind) which have spread a bit.
It would be nice to keep some of them, but they need tidying up.  Do I simply isolate them from weed killer, and work around them.  Oh dear, these questions are becoming more simplistic as I go along.

Are all the little bits of flaky coloured plastic likely to be biodegradable growbags that can be ignored.

Much appreciate the experience of all you folf
Chris

[newspud9]

[grannyjanny]

Click onto wiki at the top of the page have a look at the newbies thread. Eristic has  good advice on clearing a plot.
Janet

[Uncle Joshua]

I'd never use weedkiller (not sure anyone here would) I'd also never use a rotovator (it will chop up all the roots) and I'd never use carpet!!

If it was me, I would strim as much as you can and then get digging, as far as I know most do compost weeds but for some reason I never do.

The main rule on my allotment is "don't rush" take your time and stick with one bed until you're happy with it, because its a new allotment I'd be tempted to grow some spuds on at least one bed, because you use manure for potatoes it helps to improve the soil for future years.

As for your bushes dig out what you don't want and cut back the others.



Please, no weedkiller!

[saddad]

Welcome to the site Chris,

Eristic's info is a good place to start. I'd strim and dig myself like Mick.. but have used carpet and weedkillers in my time..  :-\

[Unwashed]

Strimming's good - there's very little survives being strimmed down to nothing several times - but go through it really carefully for frogs, newts and slow worms, and if it's really overgrown hedgehogs too.  Rake everything into a compost heap, and if you can wee on it that really helps!

[Eristic]

At this time of year it is a good idea to check carefully and mark anything looking like it might have been planted then hijack any nosy neighbour and get identification.

Anything not required has to be cut close to ground level by whatever means available, burn if allowed then start digging or forking. Should ground be hard it may need a sprinkler running for an hour or so beforehand to soften the ground.

[kt.]

Other than most of what has already been said...... lots of hard work and plenty of sweat.  Welcome to the site and happy clearing 8)

[Columbus]

Hi Newspud,  :)

I`ve cleared three plots in various states of neglect. I would firstly suggest you don`t use weedkiller - its a waste of time and money. And some things are implicated in the development of brain tumors.

If you`ve got access to a strimmer, strim everything you don`t want to keep down to the ground, with the provisos that others have pointed out, check as you go for glass and beer cans and anything else that shouldn`t be strimmed especially frogs etc. After a few passes you should have a close cropped plot keeping your inherited permanent planting and features like sheds and patios.

You should now have heaps of stuff that might be useful, stuff for recycling, stuff thats just got to go and a long term compost heap. You might come across a bees nest in a hole in the ground, just work around it, they won`t bother you if you don`t bother them.

If that gets you into a spell of dry weather a few small fires or a flamer of any kind will help to scorch away the stubble and weed seeds. The aim now is to get rid of all the weeds and weed roots you can. If you must use carpet go ahead I wouldn`t, for reasons already mentioned on this forum. Cheap plastic or tarpaulins are a better choice for holding back regrowth. If you have use of a rotovator try doing strips of about a yard wide and get all the weeds and roots out of that section before moving on. Don`t just turn the weeds in. Otherwise dig and weed.

At this stage you can plan your layout and style of planting, rows or raised beds, permanent planting areas such as fruit cages, trees, strawberries and rhubarb. Try to have space put aside for a shed and a greenhouse even if you don`t already have one. And in front of your shed a compound for sitting and working outdoors.

As you clear spaces you could plant straight into them or you could leave them for a week so the weeds can start to grow back and then weed them before planting. If plot neighbours offer you plants they can go in now. If you can plant any fruit bushes or trees, (Poundland, Aldi etc) now you will be a year ahead for cropping.
You will get a lot of new growth from seeds already in the soil so when you do plant leave plenty of room between plants for using your hoe to stop the weeds from  taking over.

The aim is get all the weeds and roots out as thoroughly as possible and not letting them get re-established as you move to new areas of the plot because that will save you work later. As you plant remember slugs will lurk in weeds along your edges and eat the new growth of anything you plant.
Thistles, Docks and Dandelions need individually digging out as they have a large tap root but when they have gone they are gone forever. Their babies are perfect minatures of the adult plant and easily recogniseable, never let these make seed. Nettles have long roots that grow close to the surface and are easily hooked and pulled out of the ground. Couch grass and bind weed are the work of the devil and should be dug out as best you can as soon as you see them in a cleared area.
I am fortunate not to have the more exotic weeds except the occasional appearance of some Egyptian Balsam which is easily uprooted. Others have posted here about those, (whose names escapes me at the moment)

You might also want to establish your borders, I put a low earth mound planted with spring bulbs along the edge of one of my plots so people got out of the habit of driving their cars slightly off the path. I am establishing a hedge of fruit bushes on my pumpkin patch and my number one plot has blackberries at both ends and now a chainlink fence to give only one point of entry.

Best of luck, Col

[newspud9]

Many thanks to those who replied to my very basic questions on this.  Lots of good advice.

[Garjan]

The only thing that I want to add to all the advice already given is: the coffin-size mount might be an asparagus bed.
Don't put a spade in to level it, but firkle (  ::) that's supposed to be a word on this forum, meaning: stick your fingers in the earth and feel around for anything growing there) on some spots to see if there are asparagus there.
Perhaps you can see tips poking their heads through when you take a good look at the surface of the mount.

And welcome to A4A.