[robbie75]

Hello All,

Rob here from Cardiff.

I have today accepted and signed for my 10 perch allotment.

I am very very excited as it has taken me around 3 years to get to this point, due to waiting list lengths, but I am here.
I have taken on a plot that has been unused for 2 years and is in a bit of a state to say the least. Some of the weeds are taller than me and I am 6ft 4ins tall.
I do have some experience of allotments as my parents had one when I was a child, so am not a total newbie.

I could do with some assistance on a couple of issues though and know that this is the place to ask?
What is going to be the best way to clear the allotment of all its weeds, as the council will not be coming in to clear the top layer off, due to financial issues and time constraints, so it is a good job that I do not mind a bit of hard work??
Can I get a machine that takes off the top layer, should i go at it with a strimmer, rake off and then dig it over, should i rotavate it all and then pick out???

I have also been told that the council will not come to the site and collect any green waste anymore, so any suggestions as to what I should do with all the waste that will come off the plot, would also be appreciated.

How soon will I be able to grow on the plot once it is cleared off and turned over?? I would have thought that it would be as soon as I had cleared and turned it over, but not sure if I should leave it for a few weeks or months before planting/growing?

Any assistance, information or guidance any of you can give, will be greatly appreciated and taken onboard.

Ciao for now and happy digging, kind regards, Rob 

[Y.E.A.H]

hello rob 

[Yorkie]

Hi Rob and welcome to the site 

Although this is your first post I'll whizz you over to Grow Your Own as there's quite a lot of questions there 

1. Clearing plot.
http://www.allotment-garden.org/articles/Clearing_a_New_Allotment.php is a useful starting point, also there's been quite a few similar posts recently, have a search for info.

Broadly speaking, do not rotavate if you've got nasty weeds.  You can strim down but then the best advice is to dig out the weeds.  Cover with weed suppressant fabric or cardboard (not carpet) the bits you've not got to by the time the weeds start growing.  Glyphosate based weedkiller is an option but I'd wait until weeds are actively growing before applying it - ensure a dry windless day, and no rain or dew for at least 6 hours after application.

2. Green waste.
I compost stuff that isn't affected by disease, but not nasty perennial weeds or seeding weeds.  Some people will drown nasty weeds for a few weeks before considering them safe to put on the compost heap.

Otherwise I put the green waste in my green waste bin at home or take it to the tip.

3. No need to wait to grow after clearing the plot.

The Growing Help link at the top of the page contains lots of useful info, but I really would recommend the books by John Harrison (site owner) for useful, accessible help - and they're small enough to take down the plot.  If you click 'home' top left you should find them there somewhere

And don't try to do too much at a time, enjoy gossiping with your neighbours, and don't forget the before and after piccies, they are a real encouragement when you feel knackered!

[DavidT]

Good evening Rob and welcome to the site. What part of Cardiff are you? I`m in Lisvane, monday, tuesday and friday and Llandaff north, sundays. If I can be of assistance, that is.lol

[strangerachael]

All the 'big' woody stuff such as brambles can be piled up in an unused corner (if you have one). Instead of burning it I like to think it makes a nice home for a hedgehog or something that will eat my slugs 

[simonmoe]

Hi Rob,

Simon from Pontypridd here.  I'm in a similar position myself........very daunting isn't it!

I feel as though I need about 15 people to sort mine!

All the best

Si

[Poolfield2]

Hi Rob, welcome.......6'4"  :ohmy:are you really Welsh?

Good luck with the plot, take it steady or you'll need recomendations of a good Osteopath