[KayA]

We have today been confirmed as allotment owners.  It is currently just a lumpy field.  Should we remove the top layer as turf with a spade or could we put cardboard and compost directly onto the grass and hope for the best?  We plan to work on one small area at a time so are prepared to try anything. Many thanks!

[Yorkie]

Welcome to the site and congrats on your new field allotment 

I'm going to pop your question over to the Grow Your Own forum, where you will receive answers on both sides of your question.  There is always more than one way to do something!!

[Subversive_plot]

I am currently doing the cardboard and compost option in 3 raised beds.  I feel that it will give better weed control than just placing compost on top of the weeds/grass.

Good luck!

[Growster...]

Welcome!

Turves sliced off and turned upside down in a stack will make good loam for next year! Watch out for chafer grubs too, as they love grassland!

Like your idea of taking one bit at a time - it makes sense not to get down and try to do the whole lot at once - unless you have a lot of time and energy!

[steven c]

we have used cardboard and compost [and horse manure] directly onto grass and weeds at our  site
now several others on site have tried this method [charles dowding] why not try this method and any
other method you were thinking of to see how they compare for us this worked very well beds are still very easy to keep weed free 4 years on  good luck hope you can enjoy it all.

[Plot94]

When I got my plot many years ago it was also just a field of grass. I think whichever method you choose my advice would be to carefully think over how you want it to look at the end, I must admit to rushing headlong in and making decisions that I regreted the next year. Good luck and happy growing 

[Enfield Glen]

I would suggest splitting the plot into different manageable sized beds and for now leave grass paths. Plan where you want shed, compost bin etc. If you have smaller beds you can focus on getting them done one at a time rather than looking at the whole plot and wondering how on earth you will get it all done.