[richiechivz]

Well Ive had my first allotment plot for over a month now. Its 7 perch and very overgrown. Mainly vast amount and tall Couch grass, and at the top a load of over overgrown bramble (Which are still hiding a double compost bin). Ive cleared about a quarter of it. Managed to put in two rows of early potato, and almost got another bed for the beans to go in next month. Ive been skimming the suface of the plot, and so far it seems to be working. After Ive skimmed an area, I can fork it over and pull out any big roots I find. However, its hard going. I do not want to use chemicals, but I stood on the plot on Sunday, after 4 hours hard graft, slowly getting further up the plot., and almost gave in. I hope my spuds come through pretty soon, I need something to keep my morale up!

Anyway, just needed to get it off my chest really. Hope all the other new plot holders are hanging in there too!

Rich

[gregmcalister]

I would say strim as much of the grass as you can, buy some weed proof fabric and cover the part of the plot that you're not going to work just now.  Concentrate on growing a smaller area just now and when you do lift the fabric after a few months you'll notice the nice bare earth underneath.  I do this all the time now and it has saved so much work.

[noshed]

Don't worry Ritchie - when you see things growing which aren't weeds it will be all worthwhile. I think we all go through that stage at one time or another, just concentrate on getting a few bits done and you will beat it gradually.

[Ruth Cross]

Well Ive had my first allotment plot for over a month now. Its 7 perch and very overgrown. Mainly vast amount and tall Couch grass, and at the top a load of over overgrown bramble
Rich

Unfortunately its the stuff under the ground with Couch that you have to worry about

[Celtic Eagle]

You need a brush cutter for a day like a strimmer only a metal blade That will take everything down Try to separate it into 2 piles compostable and non compostable  then burn the non-compostable pile chuck the rest and the ash from the fire in the compost bin


Then I'm afraid it's digging
but at least you will be able to see what you are working with

Good Luck and don't get down hearted  Dig a bit at a time and get something planted for encoragement

[crowndale]

I was a trifle disheartened myself today and I have taken over a relatively easy plot!  Dug one trench for spuds but couldn't do any more because my back was hurting, so decided to lightly fork over the pea bed as I'd walked on it puttin up the rabbit proof barrier and wanted to plant the peas for march that I have on my 'to do' list only to find the ground too sodden, so its a few more days/weeks before the peas go in.  but on the bright side I planted out some broad beans (grown in pots) so i do at least have one row of non weed greenery and my guess is that around half the plot is now dug over even if not planted out yet and most stuff will be going in may/june anyway.

[wurzelrob70]

I was exactly where you are back in December and now have just about got things to where I want them, but I must admit it was a bit touch and go at times. I could have very easily given up some days but just think of all the lovely tasting veg you will be sitting down to for years to come and hopefully that will give you the incentive you need to carry on.

[gus]

Don't get down and you will win through.  My plot was so overgrown when i got it that the council said i could have the first year free. :shock:  It was hard work but my soil is in really good shape now and i get some great fruit and veg.   You will too, just pace yourself and keep focused. Good luck.

[Sadgit]

1 year ago I got my plot and it was VERY hard going.. Partic when I was trying to dig and we had that baking sun in April last year and the soil was like concrete. This year the whole plot is weed free and the soil is fantastic due to horse manure being dug in late last year.. well rotorvated in

Don't worry it will get there... at least you have something in already. Seriously forget about not using chemicals, roundup is your friend, in my opinion that is, otherwise I would have cracked up

[bimbler]

I'm in a similar position beutiful soil full of twitch, bindweed, dock, nettles and dandelion two seconds to turn the sod two minutes to pick out the weed roots. progress is very slow and it is hard to keep morale up but  it'll be worth it when that first veg comes in.

[Aidy]

For 3 years I nearly gave up, had a jungle, but not now, it is worth it, I am already looking forward to those fresh vege's, mouth watering with the thought of those first beets, tats and the sweetcorn on the bbq. Keep at it the spuds will be through soon.

[MARROW HEAD]

Remember, the more effort you put in now, the less of the weeds you will see next year. When i first started i didn't do very much weeding, so, the year after, i had 10 times more weeds. But last year i weeded very thougherly, and i have had very little weed to worry about.

[andy a]

Rich,

don't be too hard on yourself. I have had a jungle for a couple of years now. started off with a sprint but slowly i began to loose my enthusiasm. I have had to concertrate on half of the plot because it was taking so long to clear, that i wasn't keeping up with the planting/sowing & genaral weeding. In short it became a chore more that a pleasure.

This year i have taken a step back & covered the uncleared half with heavy plastic sheeting. Hopefully i will be able to enjoy working on the original half this season.

in short take pleasure in what you have achived & tackle the rest when you feel like it.

[fatbelly]

Rich,
I got my plot last May and it was covered in Couch, Dock and Mares tail.
I really do mean covered. It has taken me the best part of 8 months to clear the whole plot (100 x 16 ft). I had to cover part of the plot with heavy black tarpaulin type stuff which killed  / weakened the weeds until I was ready to dig them out. Twice last year once in September and again in October I thought of giving up because it was just taking me ages. But I kept going and now I am so glad I did.
My plot is now weed free  :?: and I am ready for the season to start.

Keep going just do it bit by bit and all of a sudden you will find that you are at the end.
 
Regards FB

[crackedflowerpots]

its nearly always hard going at first but a few years down the line you'll be leaning on your fork, telling a new lottie owner  that yours used to be a mess but with a bit of hard graft for a year or 2 he could have one as good as   yours!