Allotments 4 All

Hello,
I would like to apologise in advance for bringing up a topic which surely must be as old as time itself.

I need advice. I am nearly done with clearing my plot & would like to know what the next best step would be. The plot has been overgrown with brambles and a bit of horsetail for years.  It's been hard work but at least now I can see the potential.  I would like to know what would be the best next step.  Is there anything that needs to be done before I cover it up for the winter?  As I understand it this is the best way to help kill off things.
What about fertilising, would it be best to wait until spring.  The soil is clay.  Honestly, any comments would be most appreciated. 

Cheers.

Welcome to A4A Buckeye Girl.
I'm on heavy clay... I would always have recommended a good layer of manure,
but you can't always trust that these days. I would turn it all over before covering to get as much root out as possible.
:)

Hiya, buckeye, nice to meet you  ;D
I'd follow saddad's advice..is there anywhere you could get some mushroom compost or spent hops..they seem fairly safe at the moment  :)

Welcome Buckeye Girl I'm not far from you in WSM.7 years ago when we got our first plot (we have 2 but they're not huge) we inherited carpets I know you can't use them now but the principle of blocking the light still applies .'Don't know how big your area is but brown cardboard lasts quite a while and then degrades,we're fortunate to have a local supply of "clean" manure maybe you could get a reliable source if you ask your new lottie neighbours?anyway good luck there's no shortage of good advice on this forum,but when your backs aching and it's raining check out some of the non gardening sections they're very entertaining ;D 

Hi Buckeye and welcome to A4A and allotments  ;D

I'd vote for covering it, and working on a small bit at a time, then covering again till you need it. Cover it with anything you can get your hands on (within reason....) such as cardboard, tarpaulins, weed supressant etc.
I'm on clay too and took on an unworked plot 2 years ago. Still getting round to "new" areas (admit I'm a bit slow, but have had loads of great crops this year), but am making headway with breaking up that clay! Anything organic that you can add to the clay is a bonus

And you can plant some over wintering broad beans over winter  :D

Good luck with your new venture  :D
1066

P.S. I forgot "You can't eat an elephant in one sitting..." small bites :)