Just need to rant sorry in advance

[Nigelsmith]

I agree Nigel, the fence panels shouldn't have been yours to deal with, but... with allotments it certainly helps to 'just get on with it' kind of attitude. At least you'll have plenty of ash to use as fertiliser?
I was lucky to get my plot ploughed when I first got it, and I think if I hadn't, I wouldn't have made it through the year. Having said that, there's not one available plot on our allotment that is in any other condition than derelict. That's kinda part of the challenge I think.. and the smugness once you've turned it around
Best of luck!

Hi SarrissUK yes I think I need to change my way of thinking and chillax a little more I guess I'm a do person in respect when I decide to do something I want to do it straight away and I guess thats not going to happen when the local council are involved lol so I shall try and relax and take deep breathes

[Shadylane]

Yes you need to chillax . Get on your plot and get digging - that'll sort y out. As for the rubbish, our plot was full of it. Fence panels might be seen to be useful though. You could've made raised beds with em or were they rotten? Most new plots are a dive, basically becasue the previous tennant hung on by their fingernails before they decided to quit or got booted. No one's going to leave a plot in pristine condition - I just don't think it happens. Anyway, enjoy your new way of life and be prepared for it to take over. You're going to love it

[Snadger]

An area of my first plot had been used as a communal burning/dumping ground. Once cleared and planted it was the only part of the plot that wasn't infested with clubroot. I suppose the clubroot must have been burned out of this area!

[Two_Sheds]

however nobody has addressed the fact we had to deal with 150+ fence panels this taking all weekend up or is it just us who feel this wasn't our job ?

It wasn't fair, but then life ain't fair, is it? You're coming across as very angry & I'm just concerned that this is going to turn people against you.
Have a grumble, sure, but don't let it show, cos it'll set people against you. The council bod who's got the job of "allotments officer" will be someone with no interest in gardening and no idea what needs doing. It will be just one of a string of duties they've been given. When I worked in council, I was a PA to a Director; however due to cutbacks, I also was given the job of Complaints Officer, and then despite my objections, I was given Religious something or other (Clerk maybe? and I am the LEAST religious person you are likely to meet, I really did put all that work in the bottom of my tray). I have no extra pay for these extra responsibilities, and no extra time in which to do them.
What I'm saying is, it's not their fault they're dealing with allotments, and it's not your fault you got the panels. But ... get over it, get on with it You'll love it

yes I think I need to change my way of thinking and chillax a little more

Yep, get up there and meet the others and get stuck in. Brambles aren't impossible to get out, just take a tire lever or something, not your best digging fork (I used a fork to lever, then a pruning saw to cut through when I got resistance).

[zazen999]

My only worry would be that if you do dig everything out and plant up, they come along and plough all your newly planted garlic and onions in - so if you don't want it ploughed, best make sure you don't plant anything until you speak to them.

But I'd dig now, get as many roots out and burn them; if it's already been ploughed then the ground should be relatively loose [unless they drove all over it on their way out]. Just start in one corner and get going.

[Nigelsmith]

Can the roots be put in a compost bin or is it better to burn them ?

[zazen999]

Personally, I'd burn them.

[Nigelsmith]

Personally, I'd burn them.

Thank you I see you have a nice quote by Geoff Hamilton we are lucky enough to only live about 10-15 miles from Rutland and Barnsdale that is now run by his son Nick the gardens are lovely,have you ever been ?

[taff]

and then if you burn stuff, you have ash to add to the compost heap too or potato beds...you might want to keep it somewhere dry to use for extra potash next year

[zazen999]

Thank you I see you have a nice quote by Geoff Hamilton we are lucky enough to only live about 10-15 miles from Rutland and Barnsdale that is now run by his son Nick the gardens are lovely,have you ever been ?

Yes I have; one of my favourites.

[binley100]

Could you use the fence panels to build compost bins ?

[Florence Fennel]

I think he's already burned them Bins. I agree with Zaz, if you decide to get on with it, make sure you make it very clear that you don't want the ground ploughed again so you can get on with planting. You sound as though you're chilling a bit and that's good, so you can start to enjoy. Good luck and happy growing.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Yups, moaning isn't going to get you where you want to be, so simply put, time to put your back into it and get going with the work. At least the rubbish you have been left is burnable and isn't a heap of rusty corrugated iron or similar. Having a plot ploughed once is a boost, twice a luxury and three times, well I would believe it when I see it.

[Nigelsmith]

UPDATE plot was ploughed again yesterday so now the fun begins

[Two_Sheds]

At least the rubbish you have been left is burnable and isn't a heap of rusty corrugated iron

lol, I had bags & bags of household rubbish chucked onto mine: I pulled out a length or curtain track and a whole ironing board