Today we finally decided to tackle the new plot. Needless to say I forgot to put the camera on charge so have no before photos.
We were encouraged by a conversation I had with old Bill - gatekeeper at our site so to speak- the other day. It appears that since John Ryan has died in Limerick (another elderly alotmenteer) - whoever said this is a healthy activity? ::) ;D ;D ;D- the committee have his diesel rotovator and have used it to tart up all the vacant plots with a view to finding tenants for them.
After some time telling me how they were all gobsmacked that we had taken on the dreaded Plot 20 he got round to saying that if we were to clear the long grass they'd rotovate it for us. 3 times no less. :o :o :o
Well say no more. I've not moved so fast in years. First we removed enough pallets (that's the fence you understand) so that the rotovator can get in. Then Peter the expert scyther (trained in Schleswig-Holstein no less 8) 8) ) got busy with his new scythe and I got building bonfires and raking dead grass. Still looks like a wilderness but we have removed nettles, thistles, dock, giant hogweed, brambles, ground elder, rotting carpets, beer cans and much much more. We have uncovered beds and paths and a compost heap... Quite sad really. This plot has been untended for 8 years at least but clearly whoever had it then took good care of it.
So back again tomorrow for more, weather permitting. This time I'm going to light lots of mini- fires and burn some weed roots at the same time. Then we'll let them loose with the rotovator and hopefully will be able to remove lots of weed roots after that. Then I think weedkiller. Goes against the grain, but I have never seen so many widespread rampant stout nettles and dock before. I think they will take some time to beat. Even under the carpets the roots are vigorous and strong.
Why did I want this plot? I've got a beautiful tended one just across the grassy path from it???? ::) ::)
(rotovate it for us. 3 times ) good of them to offer.
Sounds good how deep to the tynes go down, it will break up the roots if nothing else you can have more bonfires.
I would dig the dock roots out with fork or spade any left in will grow again. When I dug out nettles I found the soil underneath was lovely they seemed to break it up?
I can understand you wanting two side by side just think next year it will look wonderfull.
Hey grawc, charge up the camera and let's take a peek Please! ::)