Allotment of Tranquillity

[Clayman]

I've mentioned my allotment on a couple of threads well here she is, as you can see if weeds carried the same price of saffron I'd be a wealthy man, sadly they don't. However luckily or unlucky be she is only a small plot, a rough estimate is 18 feet by 36 feet a more accurate size will come once it's cleared, I'd like it to be bigger but beggars can't be choosers as everyone knows the waiting lists for allotments are lengthy so she'll do for now. One plus with the size is I've been used to container growing so this will be a small step for me and not a giant leap for an allotmenteer.

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[Greenleaves]

You will be amazed what you can grow on a plot that size, think vertical planting as well, most importantly enjoy it as your title suggests, you're piece of tranquillity

[Gillykat]

Love the title of this thread Something to definitely aim for in the coming year, eh?

Looks like lots of thistle and willowherb and small amounts of dock and bramble so once they are removed the plot will look HUGE. I've had to cope with sow thistle and willowherb this first year and just pulled it up and stuck it all in black bags and took it to the skip as I wasn't sure whether I could compost it Didn't want to chuck it on the compost heap and then, once it was rotted down, end up with even more weeds as I was scattering seeds or bits of root which would sprout afresh onto my beds!!! Other more experienced allotmenteers will soon be along to give better advice

Nice plot though - I can visualise it looking great in just a few months' time

[Clayman]

You will be amazed what you can grow on a plot that size, think vertical planting as well, most importantly enjoy it as your title suggests, you're piece of tranquillity

You right, I've done a couple of plans going off an 18x38 and I can get a fair bit planted even with a shed, small greenhouse and compost part. Plus at this moment in time I've had it a month and not seen a soul so maybe chance of expansion, at this moment in time it's enough. Also I wanted an allotment to get away from things, work, family etc and it's doing that so far. The longterm aim though is with being vegetarian I want to provide the majority of my own food, also just over the path is a strip 18 feet long and around 2 feet deep which I can also plant on.

[Clayman]

Love the title of this thread Something to definitely aim for in the coming year, eh?

Looks like lots of thistle and willowherb and small amounts of dock and bramble so once they are removed the plot will look HUGE. I've had to cope with sow thistle and willowherb this first year and just pulled it up and stuck it all in black bags and took it to the skip as I wasn't sure whether I could compost it Didn't want to chuck it on the compost heap and then, once it was rotted down, end up with even more weeds as I was scattering seeds or bits of root which would sprout afresh onto my beds!!! Other more experienced allotmenteers will soon be along to give better advice

Nice plot though - I can visualise it looking great in just a few months' time

Personally I've got it at the right time, I'd have hated to have to clear all the weeds mid summer and miss the growing season but this way I can take my time to clear it and be ready for the growing season. However I'd love to get some garlic planted to start it of so be concentrating on one section, then I'm looking at building a pallet shed to use as a getaway.

[noviceveggrower]

Hi there, 18x38 is quite a good size. Once you have got it cleared you will be amazed by how much room you will have got.
Best thing to do is plan and then plan again on a piece of paper.

[veggiechicken]

See if you can get rid of those fluffy seed heads first, or they'll seed everywhere.
Take a big bag, secateurs and thick gloves and do a pass through lopping off and bagging the seed heads. You can relax once they're gone and take your time about getting the roots out.
Look forward to seeing your progress. Keep the photos coming

[Clayman]

Hi there, 18x38 is quite a good size. Once you have got it cleared you will be amazed by how much room you will have got.
Best thing to do is plan and then plan again on a piece of paper.

True, been through a few plans already. Only thing that's really stuck so far is where the shed is going and I want to use the square foot method. Although people in my family eat veg I'm the only vegetarian so I don't really want great gluts of one crop, also looking forward to moon phase planting as it's something that interests me but up to now only been able to do it on a small scale.

[Clayman]

See if you can get rid of those fluffy seed heads first, or they'll seed everywhere.
Take a big bag, secateurs and thick gloves and do a pass through lopping off and bagging the seed heads. You can relax once they're gone and take your time about getting the roots out.
Look forward to seeing your progress. Keep the photos coming

I got it down to about knee height then I've been going from there, been doing around about 6x4 strips. Been slow going as there's a bit of rubble around but getting there and plenty of time to do it plos it warms me up with the days getting colder.

[craftymarie]

Your allotment of tranquility sounds wonderful It is good having somewhere to escape to. I don't have an allotment but I have my polytunnel in the back garden and no-one bothers me in there - no phone, no TV, no noise or distractions. Love it.

I think you got your plot at a perfect time. You've got loads of time to whip it into shape, clear it out and plan what you will plant and where for the main growing season next spring. I too am keen on viewing more photos.

[Clayman]

This is after I'd cut most of the weeds down, brother in law has a strimmer but it's electric and with no electric output and a generator to big to hump to the allotment for just an hour it was down to the shears. Just a bit of info it was hard bloody work, however I now have the biceps of Arnie

[Clayman]

This was after todays stint, well nearly as the dug up part to the right of the cardboard is also now covered with cardboard. Just under half is now dug over with cardboard covering it, only problem is no water on site so I'm hopeful of a good downpour over the weekend while I'm at work.

[Clayman]

As I said in a previous thread I've done a van up as a camper, ideal for when I'm at the allotment until I get a shed as I can have my lunch anyway I had a guest drop in for lunch and well worth the leg and backache




The plan is once I can get a shed up and store things there i'll walk it as it's only about 1/2 mile or a little over, plus it's a nice walk as well.

[Bigmallly]

Looking good, it will look great come Spring.

[Clayman]

Felt a bit daunted at first but now the weeds are down and I can see more, I'm a bit more relaxed. I did a more accurate measurement today, previously I just did it by stepping out and came to 18x36 feet a more accurate measurement today gave me a 18 1/2 x 36 1/2.