I've had my allotment (half plot) for a month now, and have some pics here http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/58644899
So far have had to hack my way into the shed through an overgrown willow tree, bindweed and snowberry bushes (I used to think these were so pretty!), cut down and burn several skips-worth of weeds and tree, pile up a similar amount of plastic, metal and rotten carpet, demolish the stinking pond, stop the shed from leaking, dry the coldframe out and nuke anything suspiciously green with weedkiller for good measure.
Any tips appreciated - havent thought about planting yet, as the ground is really bumpy and I was going to try to level it all out beforehand.
Have spent 2 or 3 hours most nights after work and about 6 hours each day at weekends, trying to batten down the hatches before winter. Am aware that soon it is going to be dark early evening.. have you all got good torches or do you leave it til the weekend? What should I do next?
Just keep doing what you are doing when you can. It does not matter how small the footstep. As long as you are moving forward and not backwards then it is all progress. You have 4-5 months yet to prepare the ground. Keep you out of mischief anyway. ;D If you have time and the ground is workable; what about clearing a bit to put in some overwintering onions while crack on with the rest?
Why don't you use your time after work to have a good tidy up(just going by your pics)move all your rubbish to one end,everything your gonna use to the other cover it all up then you got a blank canvas to go at,then say starting from the shed start digging level it up as you go as I did,clocks don't go back until 26th October,use your weekends to do the digging and any time after work(if there is still light)to do the pottering about :)
Wow, you've worked hard- just looking at those pics makes me feel tired! I wish I had as much energy!
Great work - and what a dividend having that lovely piece of stained glass
Thanks! The stained glass was my addition as the window was broken. My first attempt at glazing, a bit of a bodge job but I like it too.
The rubbish is all in one pile in the middle of the half-plot as I didnt think prospective neighbours would appreciate it being dumped up their end! The council have said they will collect it, but I'm not holding my breath...
Started digging today, and cannot believe how big the weed roots are. Some of them are as thick as my fingers and disappear under the fence a foot down. Am starting to realise why the previous tenant put down a load of old carpet alongside the fence. Arghh!
Hi Lewic. It looks like you've done a fab job! I've taken on my plot this year too. Had it about 3 months. It had nettles up to my neck when I got it (but much less other stuff and debris than it looks like you've had to handle!). I've put beds in and have been digging it over - just got one bed left to dig and have to wait for the winter to do that as it has a bees nest in it.
Just wanted to say that I know what you mean about the weed roots - they can be very deep and exceedingly difficult to dig out, but I have to say having reached the point I have now with it, I'm so glad I put in the hours to dig it over. It really will pay you dividends in the long run, my only advice would be do it bit by bit - otherwise I think I would have found my plot too daunting!!
Really really good luck with it, keep showing us photos too - it's lovely to see progress.
xx
Looking good Lewic. Your progress shows how much effort you've put into it. Just get down there when-ever you can and keep on top of it. Not too late to plant a whole host of winter safe crops. Do a search, topic was on here just last week.
Well done. Looking forward to a pic or two in the Comp section.
Kew.
Lewic,
I was there like you at this time last year keep at it and get the benefits next year ;)
my plot was just as bad not been grown on for 7 years... i got it free the first year
i sprayed all the grass with weedol waited a week then set fire to it then started to dig it over
you will get there.take plenty of photos of before and after
lok on u-tube for site called claire allotment its full of videos of does and donts
in the times you cant get on site plan where you want things like compost bins,if your anything like me yull change it 2/3 times till your happy you have everything where you want it
think twice before you throw anything away!!youll soon turn in to a fully fledged skip-dipping magpie
Claire - love your u-tube vids, they are great. I reckon you'll have your own TV show before long!
Weedkiller and fire are defo my main tools at the mo, have just started digging and its a ruddy nightmare, couch grass embedded in solid clay, impossible to pick them out without taking a chunk of clay, which ends up either being tossed back or baked in the incinerator to end up like stones.
And what to do about the nails that were in all that wood I just burned? Thought ash would improve the soil, but keep finding b****y nails everywhere. Doh... Has anyone invented some kind of power-magnet on a stick?
lewic if youve used roundup weed killer you dont neen to pick the roots out it will kill them stone dead
it not cheap to buy but saves a lot of bending down you could even rotovate it all in
Thats good news about the Roundup! There is a bit of couch growing back but I have just nuked it again. I tried to be organic.. for about a week! I think a rotovator might get stuck in the clay soil though, its really claggy.
If anyone has a similar problem with metal/nails on the allotment then I have found this device on Ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=180285741664
keep up the good work lewic!youre doing great and obviously ejoying it,welcome to the club!
rach
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