I've got a bit of a 'project'

[ThinkEmily]

Evening all,

I got all excited about getting an allotment. I went back this evening having signed my lease, and wow, there's a lot of work!

It's quite a big plot (or at least it feels like it to me), and it's in a bit of a mess. So I'm looking for advice on strategy.

There are four main parts to the plot:

1) At the top there are the makings of some raised beds and a lot of mess - there's more to it than this, but it all in this kind of state:



2) What I'm calling my 'hill', and thinking will probably not be worked on this year:



3) An area that's been covered over winter, and peeking underneath suggests it's pretty good to go:



4) This patch at the end that's covered in grass and is all lumpy & bumpy (and seems to have an odd lingering smell that I don't understand):



Now, my first step is clearly a good tidy up - there's all sorts of unpictured rubbish lying about! Grandad has advised digging it all over, but I've been reading a little bit around the forum here and have seen 'no dig' options - is this too good to be true!?

I don't mind the hard work, but if I can minimise the heavy digging I would like to. Also, I don't really understand the 'mulching' concept

I'd like to get area 1) into operation, so that's my main concern - how to deal with the overgrown stuff - digging over & picking out, or? 3) I'm fairly confident with tackling because it's in a good condition already, once the cover is off.

Area 2) I don't really want to tackle this year, but would appreciate any advice on what bits of prep I could do to make my life easier once I do get to it properly - also on the stuff that's growing on there - what is it? It's like a brittle/woody weed thing?

And 4) I would quite like to bring into use this year, but is not my priority so I'd be happy doing something that takes a bit longer - I didn't know if I should cover it up? Or how to deal with the lumpy grass?

Assets: there's quite a large and lovely looking compost heap ready to use, and amongst other things some good pieces of wood for beds and/or paths. I've also got some willing friends to give me a hand starting things (I'm baking cakes for all).

Oh, and the other thing I wanted advice on is what to burn Vs compost Vs dig over/mulch?

Bit of a long post, so thank you for reading - and thanks in advance for any advice!

[Sarico]

A bit of work there. First do they expect to be cultivated all this years? Ask them to give like a season to get ready considered now is March and the growing season as started already. Don't want they will come to June and telling you that you loose the plot because is still in that mess. Second do you will need such a big plot? You could ask for half of it or do you plan to use it all like next year? Now if I was you first thing clean up all the rubbish so they are out of the way then try to get most of the big weed/plant out everywhere and then cover everything up even the hill. Is they stay cover up even 1year you will killed most of the weed there. Do not dig it up if not use it otherwise you make more trouble giving a chance to more weed seeds to germinate. Then I will start planting something on the patch cover up. Dig or not dig is up to you like everything in your plot. Ask an opinion from two gardener and you will end with 3 advice so try them and see what is more suitable for you. Then after that start a bit at the time and see how's your plot like most sunny side where to put maybe a greenhouse without disturbing other plot. See if there are flooding area and how to sort them etc. the importat thing is that you enjoy the plot even the failure are good thing so you learn how to deal with it.

[Sarico]

Plus start to tackle the beds one by one. Clean it as best you can, dig it and plant something. Last year I had a small plot so what I did was to weed it all, cover it with anything I had and divided in small piece ( this year I made them in beds) and I start to plant onion and potato.i plant potato in the worst place I had add some compost and keeping earthin up with compost and the potato dinged the soil for me and now with the compost that I used for them have improved A lot.

[muddled]

Hello, nice to meet you...

I think if it was mine, I'd start by getting some spuds in that bit that's been covered a while. It's so encouraging to something growing away as you work!

Next, I'd start covering up. Screwfix and companies like that sell big rolls of black plastic....damp membrane I think they call it. If you make a 'slit' in the ground with a spade you can shove the plastic down in there to give you a nice straight edge.

If you have access to rotted manure (got a stable near you?) you can put mounds of this under the plastic and a little later in the year plant pumpkins and squashes straight through the membrane. The huge, lush leaves will cover the plasticy ugliness in no time, the site commitee will view your plot as productively worked and you'll have a wonderful harvest come autumn time.

Then you can start actually digging. A fan of no dig myself, I do think that if you want crops this year, you're going to have to do a bit! Dig when the ground is not too wet (especially if it is clay) and always face the bit you've dug rather than the bit lest to do....less overwhelming that way.

And in the meantime....get some seeds going on your windowsills, ready to plant as beds become ready!

[arpoet]

Welcome to the mad house... you have a lot of work on your hands, so dont try and do too much at once.
You could plant tatties through membrane or cardboard and let the tatties do some of the work for you.

[Guest]

I think the people I bought my house from had your allotment First and foremost don't get disheartened you do have a task and a half on your hands. As Sarico and Muddled have mentioned just confirm what is expected of you and the plot this year i.e all cultivated and cropped. Also how much time do you have to spend on the plot, once you start you are likely to be battling all year and I think realistically next year to tame this. Sorry I do half wish you had brambles instead feel free to prove me wrong

I'd like to get area 1) into operation, so that's my main concern - how to deal with the overgrown stuff - digging over & picking out, or?

You have a lot of perennials so if it was me I would try my best to fork (in 1st instance soil permitting, dig if not) removing all the roots as well as greenery. They can be burnt or bagged up for a year (I don't put perennials straight on a compost heap). Then rake soil level cover with card or thick layers of paper and top with what ever comes to hand - poo, spent mushroom compost, hops, compost etc.

Area 2) I don't really want to tackle this year, but would appreciate any advice on what bits of prep I could do to make my life easier once I do get to it properly - also on the stuff that's growing on there - what is it? It's like a brittle/woody weed thing?

I don't think there is anything disirable there, how ever looking at all the rubbish strewn across your plot watch your footing - if it is like my house you could have things like vegetable knives, nails and barbed wire well hidden from view On this patch I would either do a one hit wonder with weed killer (I know it is not very friendly but there is a lot to get on top of) or I would strim, rake and dispose of cuttings, strim again and clear cuttings, then cover with black plastic and forget about it for a while

3) I'm fairly confident with tackling because it's in a good condition already, once the cover is off.

As has already been mentioned I would be tempted to get spuds in this bit

And 4) I would quite like to bring into use this year, but is not my priority so I'd be happy doing something that takes a bit longer - I didn't know if I should cover it up? Or how to deal with the lumpy grass?

I would treat it similar to area 2 but just leave area 2 as the very last priority

Good luck. Don't forget to let us know how you get on.

[ThinkEmily]

Thank you everyone - I can see I've come to the right place!

My site is council run, with no committee so I don't know if that makes a difference to the management? They've got quite a few empty plots and the man seemed relaxed about getting it cultivated. I talked to him a bit about tackling parts of it this year and parts next, and he seemed happy with that - I will confirm though. I think he was quite happy someone was taking it on at all!!

I very much like the 'dig facing the bit you've worked' tip. Hahaha! The advice for area 1) on forking over and then covering is good. I'll use up the existing compost heap on that. The compost heap needs rebuilding/relocating anyway, it was boxed in (I assume) but it's all falling apart now. Which actually rather describes the whole plot!!!

I think I will be buying large quantities of membrane/covering stuff, then. It does seem like the best idea for areas 2 and 4 (once all the stuff that's hanging about is gone!). Would covering it mean pretty much leaving it until next year? How long does that kind of approach take to work ... on all that grass?

I'm sure I will be back frequently. Initially when I'm exclaiming over all the rubbish I've found on there!!

[muddled]

I think I will be buying large quantities of membrane/covering stuff, then. It does seem like the best idea for areas 2 and 4 (once all the stuff that's hanging about is gone!). Would covering it mean pretty much leaving it until next year? How long does that kind of approach take to work ... on all that grass?

You leave it covered untill you find time to cultivate it, safe in the knowledge that it's not getting worse and the weeds aren't aren't reseeding while your back it turned!
If you leave it covered 18 months it will be lovely and clear.
If you leave it covered one month the grass will have flattened enough for you to find the bits of wood and assorted rubbish hidden there to trip you over.

At any point between those two you can peel the covering back a couple of feet and dig yourself a row, bed, patch to plant up as you go.

The area where you have your fire (to burn old manky bits of wood) will also be good for planting tomatoes with the addition of a little compost.

[Guest]

Would covering it mean pretty much leaving it until next year? How long does that kind of approach take to work ... on all that grass?

Yep, pretty much until next year. Unless you are a speedy worker with lots of energy then you can dig it over, pull all the plants/roots up, find them a home somewhere to rot down then cover with cardboard and mulch

[Gillykat]

This is the sort of plot I'd been expecting to get and I'd planned to just do small patches at a time (no point in overdoing it and putting yourself off) - dig over & weed thoughly - before planting something in it. Potatoes HAD been on the list as a good way to break up the soil AND give me encouragment to keep going

I'm new to allotments myself but get LOADS of inspiration from looking at pics of others' plots. No reason why your's, given a year or two, cannot be completely turned around Little steps at first....and LOTS of photos to look back on to see how far you've come

[Martin H]

Hi and welcome!

I see you've had lots of good advice already.

I've seen many a worse plot (e.g. mine).

I think Area 1 doesn't look too bad, if you get stuck into digging it over with a fork to get weeds out I'd expect you to get it productive pretty quickly. Put the non-spud crops in the raised (edged?) beds.

Areas 2 and 4 are the worst, just slow the weeds down by covering or by strimming every few weeks then you can eat the elephant one bite at a time.

What would you like to grow?

[Sarico]

There are empty plot? Where is your council so ill move there to get a good size plot. Here in salford there is a waiting list of 350+ I'm still in a list and when I phoned the council Im 7 1st instead of 74th like 4 Yrs ago.

[ThinkEmily]

On the burning weeds thing - there's actually one of those incinerator bins down there. Is that good/better for burning than a mini-bonfire? If so, can I mix the ash in with my compost heap or am I better using it for something else?

The bits I'm going to cover - I'm happy to be leaving them for a good long while! Lots of pots dotted around the site too, so I might plant some of them up and sit them on that area.

Happy to trust everyone on potatoes being a good choice - but why is that? Do they just have good root systems?

For area 1 I've been thinking about it today and I think I will take the wood out - nominally speaking raised beds. If they ever were beds they aren't really anymore, and I think it will be easier to cover it up as one big section. Am thinking of using the wood as little paths.

The things I know I can grow are runner beans and tomatoes. Been very successful with those in the past. Also on my list are potatoes, carrots, onions & leeks. I'd like to put some raspberries in, and am told they would fruit next year? So any tips on preparing ground for raspberries is welcome!

There's loads & loads of stuff I'd like to grow, but I reckon it's better to start with just a few main things and some herbs. I've been reading a lot about companion planting, too.

I've had a look around the site, and there are some really lovely allotments and all sorts of different things going on. Lots to aspire to!!

Sarico, I'm down in East London - run by Redbridge council. There are 4 or 5 plots on my site, and some more on a couple of other sites. Some of the sites have a longer waiting list - the other one I asked about is 5 years.

[Sarico]

Potato are good because they dig the soil for you when the tuber grow. The big palnt shade the soil so less weeds and then you need to dig them out so you do the dig on that bed as well.

[Greenleaves]

The bit you call the hill maybe a good place to plant a pumkin or two....the foliage will help smother weeds as well.

Forgot to mention.....Welcome to the vine, enjoy the benefits of the advice and humour