[ghrobbo]

1st I would like to say hi..

I have just got a new plot, and being fairly new to allotments (in my second season) I'm not 100% sure how to get started..
The plot I have got is pretty big and very overgrow.. My plan is to build wooden boarders and the make the paths with wood chip. I have to do it like this as I have 4 small children and I want the to be a part of the allotment.
Now I know I won't get anything from it this year do I want to start prepare ing it now for next season.

This is where I want some opinions.
1, Do you think it would be better to clear the weeds and long gras as best i can, then lay card board on top and then manure.

2, clear the weeds, build the beds and then lay card and manure on my bedded area.

3, clear weeds, build beds, turn over, then lay card and manure..

I just want a few ideas please..
Thanks

[ptarmigan]

There's quite a lot of advice on the main site http://www.allotment-garden.org/allotment/clearing-new-allotment-plot.php

If it's any help I did all 3 of the things you are suggesting - depending on how much time I had when clearing a particular bed, how much manure/compost/cardboard I had available etc.   I think it really helps to clear a bit at a  time - don't try and do it all at once!

I put in some lasagna beds (google) but basically layers of cardboard, green stuff, compost and manure on top of a dug and cleared bed. There's some stuff you could probably plant into a bed like that now. Make a hole in through the layers and make a 'pocket' of general purpose compost and pop in a plant - so pumpkins or courgettes or runner beans - you could buy plants or still sow some in pots at home and then put into allotment when established. It's lovely to see something growing.

Then if there's other beds you don't have time or energy to clear - then layer cardboard and manure over them and leave them till next year and the worms should have got going.  You could either cut the grass short, weedkiller if you are into weed killer or just take a chance an leave it. 

This method does rely on having a lot of manure/compost/grass clippings and cardboard available.

Hope that rather muddled explanation helps.  I've found that after 3 years of doing the above I have lovely soil in raised beds and the weeds come out really easily.  And if I've got round to mulching the beds over the winter there's hardly any weeds anyway.

[ptarmigan]

Oh - and hi.  And I really hope you enjoy your new plot!

[Goosegirl]

Hi ghrobbo and welcome! Another source of stuff is mushroom compost - cheap for the quantity you get plus you have a crop of mushies to eat on toast! Oh - and please put your location in your profile so we can help you out better with the conditions where you live.

[beesrus]

Dig, dig, dig would be my advice. This is the perfect time of year for digging as the soil won't get much better for it. It's almost fun this time of year.
Dig and weed as much of the plot as you can handle. Certainly initially a couple of beds in the very near future. Then, while not perfect, buy some garden centre plants that are ready for planting, and put them in and get a few crops under your belts. Not only that those crops will help civilise your plot.  There's a myriad of crops you can plant this way in the next couple of weeks and many allotmenteers choose to do it that way in any case. There are still many crops that can be sown this time of year even by seed, carrots and peas to name just a couple.
Esprit de corp is very important when you have an overgrown site. By all means cover the rest of the site while digging to try and keep it under some sort of control. There is no getting away from a lot of hard work getting a new plot under proper cultivation. How the beds are kept manageable with no crops in them is a matter of choice. Some use tarpaulin, cardboard, all sorts of things. How about an over-wintering weed suppressing green manure on the beds you dig over ?
Good luck.

[surbie100]

buy some garden centre plants that are ready for planting, and put them in and get a few crops under your belts. Not only that those crops will help civilise your plot.

Definitely agree with that - there's enough time to put out some squashes, beans, tomatoes, salady stuff, cucumbers, plus start thinking about a few winter veg from the garden centre. It helps so much to have a few things on the go while you are clearing - and the squashes will happily ramble over any covers you put down.

Good luck from me too.

[ghrobbo]

Thanks for all the advise. I might grow a few bits and bobs, but as I have a plot up the road, im more interested in making sure its in the best state it can be for next season.
I will look into the mushroom compost, along with manure, or even try both on separate beds and see what produces the best results.
I think the best way will be to do one bed at a time. by going over it with a strimmer, building the bed, dig it over about a foot deep and remove the weeds, then cover in a layer of card and manure..

then at the start of next season, or when I want to start planting stuff, dig it over and then go through it with my little mantis tiller.
I think this will work best for me..
thanks.

[Yorkie]

As your plan is to wait until next year to actually plant anything, make sure that the weeds are controlled this season - as suggested by covering (or weedkiller) or you'll just risk getting warning letters and inflicting weeds on neighbours.  Even if you can't clear a bed immediately, make sure that you stay on top of the weeds over all the plot or they'll get taller than you ...

[ghrobbo]

oh yeah, I aim to get on top of it from the start and keep it that way. there are a quite a few raspberry bushes and other bits growing that im not sure of, so I will be using this season to also see what I can salvage.
to be fair theres not that many "weeds" its manly grass, but what ever is, it will be coming down the out very soon.

[Fairy Plotmother]

Hello and welcome. Lots of advice already. they're a great bunch here!

[gavinjconway]

I dont know how much time you have but I got my plot late summer in a terrible overgrown state... so I double dug it, removed all the trees, wild shrubs and brambles, hedges, added manure and it was then ready for planting in the Spring. Whilst doing the digging I also did my shed, greenhouse, centre pathway and water tank... Search my profile and you may just find a link to my web blog info about my plot.

[ghrobbo]

thanks for some more advice.
Gavin I had a look at your profile and cant see your blog, which is a shame as I would have liked to have had a browse.

[JayG]

thanks for some more advice.
Gavin I had a look at your profile and cant see your blog, which is a shame as I would have liked to have had a browse.

Click on the icon to the right of the profile icon underneath Gavin's avatar pic - should do the trick for you.

[ghrobbo]

Thanks you sir :-)

[ghrobbo]

Gavin, to say im impressed with your plot is an understatement.. really neat and well organised.
just one question I have for you..  Do you use weed suppressant on everything? (except spuds) and have you put wood chip on top of it?

thanks mate.