Pics of my new allotment

[Seahorse]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11566783@N07/?saved=1

Hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew!!! I'm going to start by clearing the first few feet of the plot and getting access to the shed, then I'll clear the 'greenhouse' and see if that's salvageable or not. After that, I'll try and rescue what I think is a fruit tree. Then I'll tackle the rest little by little.

My Mum is looking after my children tomorrow so I'm going down there with loppers and choppers to see what I can get done! Wish me luck!!!

Claire

[shirlthegirl43]

That looks like a fun job! Get good strong gloves and cut the brambles into manageable lengths - stack them all together in one place ready to burn. If you cut them to the ground now you will have plenty time to dig them out - not really as difficult as it sounds - especially since the ground will have been dug at some point before being left (and obviously not walked over). I say this from the experience of clearing a bramble plot and making it into a veg garden. Mine is very slow progress due to rubbish health, I am sure you will see results surprisingly quickly! Take it gently though.

[lainey lou]

Good for you Claire! See if you can rope in a few helpers too!
May be worth hiring/borrowing a petrol strimmer to get through it?
Very good luck to you.

[Nicos]

Metal bladed strimmer (rented)jumps to mind and a good bonfire for a start!!
It'll be a very rewarding project- your neighbour will be pleased the land will be cleared too.
Have you worked out where south is yet??? The trees may need a bit of lopping too this winter if it's to the left.

Enjoy.....

[Mrs Dobby]

Oooh, nice plot, looks like there's going to be some fun clearing it!

Remember, its not a race, do little and often, plenty of tea breaks and enjoy yourself!

Oh, and dont forget to take loads of piccies and to share them with us on here, so we can all tell you how well you've done and keep your morale up!

[PAULW]

SEAHORSE
Dont bother with a strimmer try and get hold of a hedge trimmer you can cut from many differant angles reducing the brambles to a manageable size, working in grounds maintenance I always found this easier than battleing with brambles wrapped around the blade of a strimmer.

[carlseawolf]

well done ! you should start a blog and call it ( the secret garden )

[Seahorse]

Ah, you're all so encouraging and supportive Thanks for the tips on good ways to get it cleared. South is to the right(ish) as you look at it from the path, so the trees to the left of it shouldn't cast too much shade.

I've started a blog here:

http://thankyouforthedays.blogspot.com/

I think it'll be mainly pics and lists of things done rather than anything especially entertaining or interesting but I think it will be great to have a proper record to look back on

Claire

[kernowyon]

Ah, you're all so encouraging and supportive Thanks for the tips on good ways to get it cleared. South is to the right(ish) as you look at it from the path, so the trees to the left of it shouldn't cast too much shade.

I've started a blog here:

http://thankyouforthedays.blogspot.com/

I think it'll be mainly pics and lists of things done rather than anything especially entertaining or interesting but I think it will be great to have a proper record to look back on

Claire

i think i can see sheargar in the background of one of your pics! good luck with it, little and often. you will hopefully get great pleasure once its cleared.

ps, i think i see a theme going on (name of your blogspot and previous post re B.Bragg)

[Seahorse]

i think i can see sheargar in the background of one of your pics! good luck with it, little and often. you will hopefully get great pleasure once its cleared.

ps, i think i see a theme going on (name of your blogspot and previous post re B.Bragg)

I'm sure I saw Lord Lucan scurrying off when I was smacking the brambles around too!

I love Billy and was very tempted to name my blog 'A New England' but I wasn't sure if that might have some sort of BNP overtones to a casual observer I was thinking of Kirsty MacColl's version of 'Days' too, so I went with that - my 'general life' blog is called 'In These Shoes', so it seemed fitting to carry on the tradition And of course Billy & Kirsty were good mates.

Claire

[Hazel at the Hill]

I can see it being a fine ol' bonfire night over your way, Claire! And if you burn as you clear (rather than having the bonfire in one place all the while) you'll get a load of free potash to feed the plot - hurrah!

[Nicos]

One special request please.....

Can you check for hibernating hedgehogs ( and other wildlife) as you go along chopping it down??
It looks likes it has been a good, safe area to hibernate in for many years
Hedgehogs are now on one of the endangered lists and strimming is one of the sure ways of seeing a fair few off.

I'm sure PAULW is able to give us all some sound, up to date advice on how to clear land like that and yet be environmentally aware?????

Thanks

[HeyWayne]

I think you'll probably find yourself a few rabbits along the way too.

Having a blog is really helpful for me. When I feel as though I haven't really achieved much, I just look back at my first post and think wow! Done more than I realised...

Good luck, and keep positive.

[SarzWix]

OMG Claire!! Not more than you can chew, I don't think - but you're deffo goin to choke if you don't take it in small bites!! Could you possibly have a 'clearing party'? Round up as many friends/relatives as poss (do you have any Grapes nearby??!!) & provide saws/slashers, free grub & some beers for everyone who turns up?!
As Nicos says, there may be hedgehogs to contend with, but it should be easy enough to decide which bit of plot you're leaving overgrown for them this year, and relocate them. You'll prob need a long stick or something to 'lift & look' before you clear a patch and don't cut too close to the ground until you're sure it's clear of wildlife!
It looks like your neighbours will be happy to have the plot-next-door cleared up a bit, maybe they'll offer help/advice too?

Anyway, congratulations on getting it - persistance pays off!!

[Flummery]

When the going gets tough (and the Seahorse gets going!) remember those of us still languishing on waiting lists who would love to swap with you! I agree with the point made by many that the photos you take now will be a huge inspiration on the days when you feel you're not getting anywhere. One little browse through todays pics and you'll be trying to pat your own back (which is a little easier than licking your own elbow I'm led to believe!)