So sad - need advice

[Snadger]

Are you sure you're in the right place and not someones coppiced wood?

I don't think THAT'S ever been an allotment!

Someone appears to be extracting the urine!

To be honest, I've taken on some rough plots but none as bad as that. You need to adopt slash and burn tecniques methinks.
A bow saw with a decent blade would make short work of them but a chainsaw would be better.
Forget about the rotovator for the time being as you'll break it's blades on the tree roots

[Pies]

Looking at the plot,if that is the plot,i'd be tempted to let the council have it back.Then once its been reallocated reapply.OK so you might have a bit of a delay in getting another plot,but the one you have is going to take some serious work to fully sort

[chixilixi]

Wow, thanks for all your replies. I thought last night that maybe I was just being a bit of a girlie and that probably most plots were like that to start with but after reading some of your comments I think maybe mine was a little worse than most!!

Went up there today and got some more pics, also managed to clear a small patch of bramble roots and planted 10 strawberry plants Had no luck with getting the rotavator on site but to be honest even if I had got it on there the ground was so rock solid it wouldnt have done any good anyway. I sprayed roundup on some of the re-growth at the front of the plot - I am not sure though if thats the right stuff for brambles? It didnt say so on the back of the bottle - do I need something stronger for these?

Am planning on going back tomorrow after work to plant some cabbages and cougettes in the clear patch, and I was given some weed control fabric tonight as well which I will put down and plant through it. I am going to ask around for a chainsaw, but I think I am going to concentrate on the already clear patches for a while just to get it into use.

Oh, and I found an amazing patch of wild raspberries in the hedge behind my plot!! Got stung to bits by the nettles trying to pick some lol.

Chix x

[Paulottie]

That looks like a major clearance job to me. Although difficult to tell tree types (or anything much else) from those photos. In short...appears a bit more than round- up at this stage.

In honesty, I think they are taking the P**s. Greenwich council have the resources to clear that plot and that they should have done/should do so. I don't think 'borrowing a chainsaw' is that good an idea without its EXPERIANCED/ certified owner to wield it. They are tragically dangerous in a novice's hands. You also need a proper strimmer with a brushcutting blade and possibly a stump grinder....failing that lot a mini-digger or tractor. You can't be expected to fund or use that sort of equipment. Get on to them again and stand up for yourself... they are trying it on.

I sympathise with 2 sheds' point in that if your not prepared to work hard now you are unlike to last long on an allotment...but a bit harsh perhaps...a field of bind weed and couch and a bramble patch is one thing. (character building) but to be fair...That's a woodland! you can't grow any veg on that! and neither has anyone else for twenty years at least.... if ever.

Glyphosate might give some small control on resprouting brambles but you must first strim and then dig out as many bramble roots as poss.

[Two_Sheds]

I sympathise with 2 sheds' point in that if your not prepared to work hard now you are unlike to last long on an allotment...but to be fair...That's a woodland! you can't grow any veg on that!

I made my remarks (a bit unsympathetically) because the poster has had the plot for 5 months and only seriously started to clear it once she got notice to quit.

Yes, it's an awful state, and she needs some help to clear the trees. Ask the council bod what help you can get, and also chat to the other plot-holders. Don't struggle on alone.

Our long-neglected plots were like that too ... covered in trees, fridges etc. When our waiting list started to lengthen, a bunch of the guys got together and spent a week slashing, burning & digging to get the trees & bramble thickets out.

the council didn't help: they wouldn't even supply skips for the rubbish.
The plots are now all cultivated.

Good luck to you.

[Dynamo]

Its been a few days since you posted anything here Chixi. Has anything happened in the meantime?

[Matt.]

Just seen this for the first time. To be allocated a plot like that is a total joke. Fine if it has a few brambles but as Snager says that is more like a wood! Its needs a JCB to remove the whole lot. I know losing the plot would be sad be I'd really consider if its worth the effort manually clearing that.

If you do go ahead try to find other plot holders with petrol powered tools that can help you out. Chainsaws, brushcutters are needed on that lot.

[gojiberry]

The state of the plot is so bad that it should never have been given out without being professionally cleared, as one grape has said you are deing used as cheap labour. From your comments you have a limited income and limited time neither of which are conducive to clearing a plot in that state. I have loads of time and a fair amount of disposable income but I would not have even considered taking on that plot. Iwish you all the luck in the world.

Ian

[Maximillian]

I've only just seen this post. I've read all of the responses and agree with most of them. Might be an idea to go onto landshare and see if someone would like to give you a handinstead of struggling alone. A friend and I share the plot although it's in my name. So just draw up an agreement. Two-sheds I understand what you're saying re overgrown plots but you were a bit unfair I feel. You are our oracle still though :-)

[zazen999]

Sharing a plot is all well and good during good times, but it only takes a minor falling out for it not to work; if a full plot really is a problem [and in this instance it isn't a plot it's a forest], then it might be worth going for half a plot....at least then it will be all yours.

Just thought I'd post that based on the experience of a Grape on here who is now starting from scratch after her 'lottie partner' trashed the plot.

[Maximillian]

Chance you take maybe? I've been sharing for two years and it's worked well. At least she might have a more manageable plot. I thought about suggesting 1/2 plot but I was on the landshare website today and there are so many people looking for somewhere to grow stuff it's worth a try perhaps?

[Storming Norman]

Well personally I cannot see that a London council would have had any plots on offer - so they have put up a wood instead. You could find bodies buried in there.

Chix - email your photo's to the lady at the council who has visited the wrong plot anyway and ask her for advice as to how a woman is supposed to cope with this on her own. This happened on our site on worked plots - only photos of the worked plots would stop their threats.

On my plot I coped [heroically of course] with 3 trees [with help] including an oak, but I would not have touched your wood. It really annoyed me that some of the other new plotholders have been provided with a mower clearance of the brambles this week - as they found them too tough to cope with. Frankly they have a health and safety responsibility to you. Tell them this now - they will run scared of that one.

Try crying on the phone perhaps? It might work.

Ann

[nickybeancat]

If I didn't live in Devon I would come and give you a hand. Don't give up, just do a tiny bit at a time but never give up! Good Luck.

[Two_Sheds]

Two-sheds I understand what you're saying re overgrown plots but you were a bit unfair I feel.

Yes, I admit that I was a bit quick to judge. My reply was based entirely on the fact that the poster had the plot for 5 months and was only motivated to get stuck in and do something once she'd had a notice to quit.

I accept that the plot is too much for her (for anyone!).

My frustration/irritation/intolerance comes from having had a derelict plot next to mine for the last 8 or 9 years ... different people come, do a bit for a week or two, and then abandon it to send it's weed seeds all over my plot.
When they are asked to vacate, they then dig in their heels and refuse to give it up. They spray everything, put in a few lettuces, then abandon it again.

[lizzylemon]

Sounds like everyone has good advice for you. I say take some homemade cakes / buns down and ask the boys to chip in when you need help. Most people like to feel needed and will be willing to pass on tips, advice (you may regret that one in time) and some help too if you ask for it. A lovely big smile always goes a treat too.