[llINDA]

Hello

I have just taken over an allotment garden in Sunny Stafford
The plot was obviosly cultivated last year as the potatoes and onions have not been harvested and have rotted in the ground
The plot is covered with weeds although from my very limited experience none seem of the pernicious type
It seems a very daunting task to hand dig the garden (especially with my dicky back)  so to get to my question
Is it worth rotorvating the site? There is a bloke who will do it for me (for a charge of course)
I seem to think opening the soil to birds might help with slup/pest control but have also read here I will just be spreading weeds

sooooo whats your opinion

[mumofstig]

Welcome to the site

There is some useful advice about clearing a new plot here

http://www.allotment-garden.org/articles/Clearing_a_New_Allotment.php

[allotment-bill]

hi i would with your back the way it is you can keep on to of any weeds with your hoe
and not forced to stay at home because you hurt your back digging
and it is the plot you want to enjoy in the end anyway

[TerryB]

Hi
Yes have it rotorvated but I would dig out all the potatoes.
You may be surprised how many you can use and you will need to get them out so they don't grow this year.

[mumofstig]

would you really want to rotovate if you have bind weed, couch grass or mares tail? - I think not.

If you aren't completely sure what you have, then ask one of the old boys what weeds are there.

[llINDA]

Thanks for all the advice/opinions
If I decide to have the plot rotorvated. Does it work like old fashioned ploughing, what I mean is will all the weeds be buried?
See I really am  novice 

[DD.]

Not really, a rotavotor will more churn the soil up - I'm sure there's a better word, at the same time, as mum says, chopping up weed root and re-planting it for you 10 or more fold!

[Kajazy]

Hi - I was in exactly the same position as you last year - in fact I'd just had surgery on my spine when I took on my new plot (yes, not the brightest of plans, but at least I got my plot - they've all gone now!). I have to admit that I resorted to the weedkiller to clear mine, as I just wasn't allowed to dig, and if you have pernicious weeds with wide/deep-spreading roots (as I did) like bindweed, horsetail, brambles, docks and creeping anything (buttercups, thistles, nettles) then it is an option worth considering if you're not 100% averse to chemicals and have a bad back. BUT, don't make the mistake I did - I merrily weedkilled, and then didn't leave enough time for the poison to be carried right down to the roots, so had the plot rotavated too early, and as a result now have a plot full of multiple versions of the pernicious beggars mentioned above!! Make sure that the weeds are growning when you zap them, then leave them AT LEAST a fortnight before touching the soil.
If you're worried about missing out on growing things this year, then my advice would be to start things off in pots/modules etc at home, then plant out once you have your soil sorted.
Good luck!

[Yorkie]

Good advice there kajazy

Although you could try weedkiller at this time of year, in my view the plants aren't growing anywhere near strongly enough for the chemicals to be taken down to the roots, so I'd leave it until the spring.

[llINDA]

Again Thanks for all the replies
I have taken the allotment as I retire in July and was told there was a long waiting list so applied and got one
I am averse to using chemicals on the plot  so I think I will try to press gang siblings into digging although they have busy lives too

[sunshineband]

Just remember that as you dig, you need to cover the cleaned up soil to prevent further weed growth before you are ready to plant.

I used weed suppresant membrane, that I then recycled to cover my paths, once I knew where they were going to be. These have chipped bark over them - from the council

If the area is too big to cope with all at once, just clear what you are able to manage in the first part of the season so you can get some planting done in spring and chop the other weeds to ground level and cover the ground up. They wonlt all die but at least they will not get much bigger or set seed.

[bazh]

Hi IIINDA

I think the best thing you can do is seek the advice of some fellow plot holders about the type of weeds you have it's highly likely if it was cultivated last year that there annuals and would be fine to rotovate in, but just in case there's some nasties in there ask and get a couple of opinions.

There's also a section on here you can post pictures of weeds on to get them identified.

Most of all enjoy it.

[llINDA]

The membrane idea is one I would like to follow up

Any thoughts on the best material to use and does it encourge slugs

[Yorkie]

The membrane will need to be dark in colour and thick enough not to let either the light or weeds through.  Ideally not waterproof (i.e. solid plastic) so as to allow air and water through.