Hi All,
I'm over the moon today as have finally been able to get an allotment!!
The plot has been unused for a couple of years and is about 4 foot deep in weeds/thistles though! - The plot has a shed which will need a fair bit work before it is usable again. Just wondering if anyone has any advice on where to start?
I plan to cut the weeds down with a brushcutter and then dig the plot over - I'm not keen on using rotavators. The question is - should I tackle to weeds first (bearing in mind the weather) or sort the shed out so I have somewhere to put my spade etc (and retreat from the rain)?
What do you think?
thanks in advance!
my approach would be on dryish days dig if its workable otherwise do shed work,compost bins,cold frame and anything else that needs doing.
I would clear the bulky stuff first, then a bed of a size to suit, for you to start sowing in the spring. This way you will at least have something in the ground while you are working away at the rest. Then clear the next bed and so on. I would not worry about crop rotation or anything on your first year. Plant what you want where you want. Enjoy it all. ;)
Congratulations Sheddie... and welcome to the madhouse. Take some before and after photo's so you can see what you have achieved and let us Nosey ones see it as well!
Whereabouts are you?
;D
Quote from: ktlawson on December 29, 2007, 20:21:33
I would clear the bulky stuff first, then a bed of a size to suit, for you to start sowing in the spring. This way you will at least have something in the ground while you are working away at the rest. Then clear the next bed and so on. I would not worry about crop rotation or anything on your first year. Plant what you want where you want. Enjoy it all. ;)
good advice dont try to do everythind at oncedig on good days then do your fixing sheds,fencing on rainny days
Hi and welcome. I would pull out any big weeds if you can as they are not growing right now, then dig over as much as you can, once the good weather comes those weeds will spring into action.Remove any weed roots as you go, and DON'T try to do it all at once.
Have fun, you have come to a super site.
XX Jeannine
hiya, sheddie, welcome from us as well..mark out where you want your beds, as you turn them either plant or cover, keep the weeds down, mark out paths if there are none and walk on them so's you don't compact your growing areas
if the ground is too wet, sort your shed, you need somewhere to sit down and recover ;D happy digging ;D
Quote from: sheddie on December 29, 2007, 18:40:49
I'm over the moon today as have finally been able to get an allotment!!
You still have time to change your mind before it becomes an addiction...
Which it will ! Otherwise welcome to the AA... Alotmenteers Anonymous :)
QuoteThe question is - should I tackle to weeds first (bearing in mind the weather) or sort the shed out so I have somewhere to put my spade etc (and retreat from the rain)?
The shed, definitely the shed. You'll need somewhere to sit, drink tea, plan and think about what your going to do when you first get there. Doesn't matter how much you have planned, worked out in your head the night before or what pretty pictures and plans you draw, you still need to sit and think about it for half hour before you start. It's the British thing to do.
Getting out of the rain has absolutely nothing to do with it!
Then you can think about getting rid of the weeds and taking the advice already given. And your right about rotorvaors, I personally would advise against it. They cut all the couch roots up into a million half inch pieces each of which will grow, best dig them out whole however daunting it appears.
Don't try to tackle too much at once, mark out separate areas or beds and tackle them one at a time. That way you get the satisfaction of actually finishing something even though there may still be 10 times more left to do. And the best thing to do is look at how much you've done and never think about how much is left to do.
Have a look at what my two were like this time last year when I first got them and what they are like now.
http://www.cig.canon-europe.com/a?i=7wiYayETLC
Have great fun, I'm sure you will.
Oh! Another little tip, an iPod, preferably filled with Led Zepp, Queen and Green Day, absolutely essential.
Hi all,
Thanks for the responses! - after taking it all on board, I think I'll go for a sorting the shed out and maybe one bed initially I think - then tackle the rest of the beds as I go. The beds are already marked out with sleppers, but its hard to see them for the jungle!
There's also a large hand-made greenhouse to sort out - its sort of on a 45 degree angle at the moment! :) - it may or may not be salvagable, I'll see how it goes!
I took a couple of pics but can't figure out how to attach one - is it possible? - or would I need to host them somewhere and provide the link?
Thanks again everyone for all the repsonses.
ps - plot69 - I'm with you on the Greenday thing!
Cheers
Quote from: sheddie on December 29, 2007, 22:39:37
ps - plot69 - I'm with you on the Greenday thing!
Headphones on, fork in hand, singing along at the top of your voice to Bullet in a Bible... Who cares if the rest of the plot holders gather in various little groups whispering strange things about you! :)
Hi All,
I've managed (I think) to upload some pictures of my new allotment into a gallery on my profile if anyone would like to check them out. You'll see I wasn't kidding about it being a jungle!!
Can't wait to get at it with a brush cutter! - speaking of which - our local hire shop wanted to charge £50 to hire a brush cutter for a week (or £25 for one day). So I've just bought a brand new 25cc one on Ebay for £42 including postage!
I'll post some update photos in a few weeks hopefully.
thanks again
Sheddie
Hi Sheddie
I got my plot a year ago this week - opened bottle of bubbly to celebrate!!
the best thing I have every done! although now a complete bore as all I talk about is horse pooh / seeds / composting ect............
I am am sure you too will enjoy and every one on this formum is so supportive.
good luck
BB ;D
Cutting the weeds down then raking and collecting all seems to happen in one go , After that work in small doses with plenty of sitting and thinking time picture what you want in your head and mark it out with pegs and stringi do about an hour a day on my new allotment and its slowly taking shape
And welcome to the world of allotments , with all the hard work you want thrown in for free
mrf94
Hi Sheddie. Welcome and good luck. A new allotment takes more time than you realise, especially if it is overgrown. With mine I cut all the weeds down, left a substantial area to start digging and covered the rest with as much old carpet as I could get. This stops the weeds from growing back and then you can proceed at your own pace without thinking you have to do it all at once.
Good pics... check with the site secretary, they don't all allow carpet, it is a bu**er to get up if the couch grows through it... some of mine did when I WAS PROPER POORLY! Sorry about the shouting!
:-[
Hi Sheddie and welcome to the asylum, you've got your work cut out there mate, reminds me of mine when I first started, do little but often at a time and it will soon come together, I got my Dad and mate to help me so it was a bit easier for me, all the best and happy digging. ;D ;D ;D