[evilhobo]

Hi all,

I've just taken on my first plot this week and its a plot that hasn't been used for a long time. There's weeds as high as I am.

I'm new to gardening, what would be the best way to go about getting the plot ready for next year? The person who runs the allotment has mentioned there is a rotorvater and strimmer avaliable for hire.

Thanks

Chris

[Yorkie]

Welcome to the site 

If you click on the Grow Your Own link just underneath the top banner, you'll find an article about clearing the plot.

I would avoid rotavating unless you have no weeds on your plot (or only annual ones, if you can identify them) - you will chop the ones which come back every year up into lots of little bits, which form lots of new plants 

I would strim, then either cover up with something to stop the weeds growing back (not carpet, but cardboard or weed fabric), or weedkill.  I'd get as much done as you can before winter really sets in.  You don't say whereabouts you are (you can click your username to edit your profile to show your location), but where I am it gets very wet in late winter and unworkable for some time.

[jmc1949]

It would depend what weeds are growing on your plot. To rotavate perennial weeds would just make matters worse by chopping the roots into small pieces each of which would grow a new weed.  I would suggest strimming the weeds down and covering the area with a tarpoline and working on a small area at a time. Make a plan of what and where you want to grow things and clear each area of weeds.

Good luck with your new plot. Don't do to much at a time but above all enjoy it.

[Yorkie]

Don't forget to take photos before you start - it's always good to look back at how far you've come!

[Kleftiwallah]

Here's my two pennorth.

 (1) Don't go at it like a bull at a gate. 

(2), Little and often is better by far.

(3) If it starts to hurt or gets boring STOP.  It is a pastime not a sentence.

Cheers,        Tony.

[dumplings]

I would clear a bit and get some spring cabbage plants in the ground, it is so nice to get some vegetables next spring, a reward for a winters hard work.

[Christine]

If it cheers you up, a lot of us get our plots in terrible condition.

You can't buy time and patience down the garden centre but to get the plot into really good condition you need a lot of both over a couple of years at least. 

Tony's advice makes good sense. Also get yourself some simple but well respected books to study in the worst of the winter weather (there's a well like book by John who runs this site and the ever popular Expert series by D.G Hessayon which could go on your list for Christmas presents).

[Welsh Merf]

Now then; what can I say? This is what I did and plan to do in the future, officially getting my plot last week, and following advice from the Allotment Association Vice-Chairman. I did the weed-killing in advance - taking a chance (read my diary):

Buy a goat/strim/chop/hack down the weeds as low as you can go.

Wait for a little bit of healthy re-growth of weeds, lulling them into a false sense of security!

Destroy with weed-killer (I used Glysophate).

Leave for about three to four weeks.

Set the lot alight and burn, making sure you're there with a water supply to maintain a fire-watch (I did that yesterday), making sure you have permission to do so, of course!

Plough/rotovate as deep as you can get/double-dig, as much of an area as you can manage, or want to do this year. It's not a war - it's a hobby. . . so take your time.

Cover the above area/s with a thick layer of horse manure - as rotten as you can get it.

Cover the remaining areas with weed-suppresant material or plastic - DO NOT USE CARPET.

. . . . . . . . . and the very best of luck to you!

[gavinjconway]

I would not rotavate as it will cut up the bad weed roots and you will have even more next year.. double dig and remove the weeds and roots after they have been sprayed and you have waited a few weeks.. but then it might be too wet and then snowy and then you will have to wait till Feb/March to dig...

[evilhobo]

Well, im overwhelmed by all the help you guys have offered. I didnt think using the rotorvater straight away would be a good idea but i will go at it with the strimmer and weed killer when I next get down there.

I will be sure to take it easy, always had a passion for gardening (have been using a patch of land in my mother in laws garden for the past few years), so I'm hoping this first bit of work wont put me off  .

Thanks for all the suggestions, I look forward to reading through the articles etc. on clearing the allotment

Chris (From Northamptonshire)

[gavinjconway]

Well, im overwhelmed by all the help you guys have offered. I didnt think using the rotorvater straight away would be a good idea but i will go at it with the strimmer and weed killer when I next get down there.

I will be sure to take it easy, always had a passion for gardening (have been using a patch of land in my mother in laws garden for the past few years), so I'm hoping this first bit of work wont put me off  .

Thanks for all the suggestions, I look forward to reading through the articles etc. on clearing the allotment

Chris (From Northamptonshire)

See my plot from day one on my profile..

[gremlin]

.....and the ever popular Expert series by D.G Hessayon.......

Oh No !   They are great books -  apart from the pages and pages of photos of plant diseases and the hundreds of types of insects that can eat your plants.  I found those really demoralising, until I turned it into a game to tick off as many new pests and diseases I can find on my plants. 

I just need "magnesium deficiency" and "sooty wilt"and I think I have got the whole set.