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I've got an area spare on the plot that has nothing planned for it.  However, I've cleared it anyway (wanted to try the rotovator out and was fed up with all the couch grass making the place look a mess).

The area is around 8m by 2.5m.  It's not been manured or composted, just weed killer to kill the couch and a light going over with the rotovator. Top soil is good loam but it's sand and gravel a couple of feet down so the plot can get a bit dry in the summer.

What can I put in the area that is going to be very minimum maintenance (I'm still a newbie so have my very limitted time cut out taking care of the rest of the plot.  Looking for something that will cover the ground well and stop weeds growing, and that requires little watering/pruning/looking after.  Also, something that won't cost much so seed is better than baby plants, and something that is not going to be too tall (<1.5m) as I don't want the rest of the plot in shade.

Any bright ideas apart from a big plastic sheet?

thanks in advance.

personally I'd plant the whole area with winter squash and have done with it, even though last year was very poor for them for me
or grow lots of dwarf beans for shelling or drying, like cannellini or dutch brown beans, or dwarf borlottis
If it's been grassed over for several years, potatoes may not be a good idea, because of the wireworm and leatherjackets

Quote from: Rhubarb Thrasher on April 08, 2008, 12:48:29

or grow lots of dwarf beans for shelling or drying, like cannellini or dutch brown beans, or dwarf borlottis
If it's been grassed over for several years, potatoes may not be a good idea, because of the wireworm and leatherjackets

Beans! Good for the soil too!

Fruit bushes...? You could cover the ground around them with mulch so no weeds. You can buy small bushes for the price of the few seed packets..and they will crop for you years and years.
I had similar size area which soil wasn't too good for veg..so I did improve a bit and planted 6 small growing apple trees. I covered the surface with membrane and got some wood chippings free from tree surgeon who were working nearby...more than happy to get rid of them..
Now that area is tidy and hopefully start fruiting within next couple of years..
Trees did cost a bit for a start...but over year...it is hardly anything.. ;D
Or you could sow "tons and tons" of flower seeds for your and any bees/butterfly's pleasure...!!! Get all kind of annuals and just "throw" it in,give it a lite rake and let the nature do rest of it.

thanks.  think I'll go for random flowers and some dwarf beanz.
and maybe a pond?

If you can set it aside for good, how about a pond and a wildlife corner and a herb garden?

yes I was thinking beans, green and yellow dwarfs, yum yum or what about beans and sweetcorn? courgettes grow anywhere too and can spread out quite nicely