[rogertb]

Hi chaps, me again,I'm afraid. Having got my new allotment a month or so ago the weather's been rubbish and I really haven't even been able to get on it, constant rain and snow and it's really sodden. It's pretty much overgrown so I guees the first thing is to clear it bit by bit when it's dried out enough to get on it ... I recall someone saying that working on it when too wet just compacts the soil and is not a good idea. Anyway, some advice please, should I clear a patch and sow some spuds, then another area and put some onion sets in, then a bit more and ? ... any guidance gratefully received ....

[New shoot]

It depends how much time you have to spend on it and your preferences on how you want to do things.

You can clear by hand or you could spray it off with weedkiller, then dig.  Covering the cleared soil with weed membrane will help you keep order on the bits you have done.

Spuds are great for filling space and holding their own against smaller weeds.  Onion sets are easy, but do need to be kept relatively weed free to do well.

If you get pushed for time later on in the season, you can cut planting holes into sprayed off areas covered with weed membrane, dig a planting hole, chuck manure or compost in and plant a squash or pumpkin in there.  I've done it before on a new plot and it gives you some breathing space and a crop, while you concentrate your efforts on other bits 

[rogertb]

Thanks newshoot ... good advice, I have the time, more or less, but it's been a problem getting on, what with the weather etc ... I'll just do a bit at a time.

[snowdrops]

Have a look at no dig gardening’s Charles Dowding website, it might inspire you as to how you can get started by not digging

[SnooziSuzi]

Have a look at no dig gardening’s Charles Dowding website, it might inspire you as to how you can get started by not digging

I was going to suggest this too!