Crimson Clover year round

[BAKER]

I am on my 3rd year at my allotment now. My problem is that 2 out of 3 plots next to mine are vacant, and have been for a couple of years, and weed seeds keep blowing onto my plot.

I have been thinking about using Crimson Clover, covering the whole allotment and digging out small patches when planting, and then leaving it until March/April next year to rotivate it in, then sow again, as I have read somewhere it can grow for 18 months(ish). I can see some positives around this plan - moisture retention in the soil, weed suppression, structure, and I am not up at the allotment everyday, maybe just 2 times a month, so the moisture retention would be useful in the summer.

Does that sound like a good idea to help the battle against weeds? Without splashing out on covers, as it is an exposed site, and for that reason, on-one uses them

[marchogaeth]

What sort of plants are you growing? Can you put your location on your profile, it might help people with their advice.

[Scarlet]

You don't need to splash out on covers..you can use, cardboard, folded up newspapers and mulch ontop with chopped grass, non flowering weeds etc.

[marchogaeth]

You don't need to splash out on covers..you can use, cardboard, folded up newspapers and mulch ontop with chopped grass, non flowering weeds etc.

Yes, hence my question really. Also, wasn't sure what OP could be growing if they were only on the allotment twice a month.

[BAKER]

I am in Cornwall

This year I will certainly be growing Sweetcorn, Sugarsnap peas, Onions, various beans, Leeks, potatoes and radishes as these are things I always grow. Also got asparagus on the go, raspberries strawberry's, and blackcurrants.

I do also like to try 1 or 2 new things every year. Just not decided what they are yet this year

[marchogaeth]

I am in Cornwall

You can add this to your profile so it is there all the time.

All of these will grow through cardboard. Cardboard will suppress all the weed seed in the soil as well as preventing most seeds that can blow in. It wall also keep the soils moisture in - a help if watering can be a problem.

[Scarlet]

I use cardboard, newspapers and grass clippings as a mulch. Anything growing next to a veg plant will take the nutrients it needs to grow including water etc. leaving the veg to battle for its needs (IMO) green manures worK if you've got soil laying empty for over winter - when you need to plant up you can chop it up and leave on the soil. I wouldn't grow the two together.

[Scarlet]

Do you actually manage to keep an allotment on 2 visits a month?

[BAKER]

All I have to do is keep my plot in a reasonable state and follow the few rules there are, as it is privately owned compared with some council owned sites I have seen where you need written permission to do this that and the other.
My plot looks better than most, including some where the people attend for a few hours, most days a week, and I get healthy plants that produce great yields (sometimes too much, so I share with others as I am like that ) that taste great.When most of the planting is done, then I would normally spend around 3 hours per visit. So there is no need for me to attend any more (unless I wanted some peace and quiet). Having said that, when we go through the dry spells in the summer, then I may attend every 10 days or so to give the plants a good water. I don't like watering plants every/every-other day in hot weather, I want to encourage a good, deep root structure, instead of a shallow root system.

There is 1 person I know who only attends once a month (if not every other month), and he has been doing that for 6 years growing just fruit, and his plot is just covered in grass (not that tall though). If I didn't know him, then I would assume the plot is vacant.

Last year I did use green manure for the first time, but sowed a mix bag around August, but was just thought about trying 1 type this year (clover). Had a good look at the plot today (where I spent around 5 hours), I will be trying the clover around the raspberry canes first to see how it goes, but might wait until August time to do the other places