[Akumos]

Hello, I've had this plot for a few months but my start was delayed because of a nasty head injury. Now I am ready to go... There are about 4 beds already down, all overgrown and I have dug the front 2 that you can see on the image before the bushes. What would you do next?



To see it bigger:
http://www.pbase.com/akumos/image/107953500/original

[Dominic]

Its a bit late now to be honest.
I'd concentrate on clearing and building work getting paths sorted, compost heap ect.

Garlic and fruit shrubs can go in late october.

Is that frost?
Where are you?

[Akumos]

Birmingham, it was taken back in March. Should I just use a strimmer to get the grass short or would it be better to use a rotavator?

[peterjf]

looks like a great plot , get it ready for next year ,

best thing about this time of year is you can really take your time

dig a yard every day and youll be there in no time , make plans for everything you gunna grow ,

sort the beds out , fruitbushes areas rhubarb ect ect

[Plottered]

good luck with it m8. at least you've time to get things sorted for next year. Just think what it will look like by this time next year.

[farmersue]

Birmingham, it was taken back in March. Should I just use a strimmer to get the grass short or would it be better to use a rotavator?

Potentially great plot there! I'm very envious.
I'd be careful about rotovating tho - in my opinion it tends to chop up weed roots and spread them. But i know some people swear by them ....

[Bombers]

I would say plant something where you have dug it over. What do you like to eat? Beans/Peas would be my choice. Even if they don't do a lot, they'll help improve the soil.Plus, they'll keep the weeds down too!
 It's not too late for a lot of things, you can buy small plants from Nurseries, or Car boots. Cabbages/Cauli's/sprouts/sweetcorn.... Whilst that lots growing, you can continue to dig, and admire your Veg at the same time! Good luck.

[totalnovice]

I'ts pretty daunting starting out isn't it, but i am still to get soem red cabbages in, cauliflowers, another lot of beetroot, spring onions, and if you are quick swede can still go in. after that you can start to plan for next year, get everything ready to kick off nice and early! Good luck, and enjoy. 

[BrianK]

Strim, then rotovate  then cover with plastic or membrane the areas you can't dig by hand in the next month or so. If you don't have membrane then cardboard will suffice but you wont be popular if it starts blowing around the site so make sure its well fixed down! 

If you have a rotovator and no membrane you mght get away with rotovating every few weeks  to "hoe" the weeds in all the time. You will need to dig properly at some time though.

You cans till plants lettuce, carrots, radish, and later you can get in beans, caulis and soft fruits.

[janet12000]

where in brum are you?

[compostqueen]

too late!  ?

I'd get something growing straight off. Allotments are about food first and foremost. You only need a small patch to start with.  At the moment there are tomato, courgette, pumpkins, squash, brassica plants available cheaply or free on Freecycle.  Good thing about the squash, pumpkin and courgettes is that they have huge leaves that smother weeds out plus you get fab crops with very little work. They'll all grow in a pile of poo as will strawbs and sweetcorn

There's no law that says you have to clear the whole lot before you can sow a radish 

[2peasinapod]

There's no law that says you have to clear the whole lot before you can sow a radish 

thank goodness for that
got the first 12ft of ours roto'd and some stuff in the other weekend.
this should keep the other pea happy for a while, whilst I can now get back to the heavy side, shed, green house clearing the rest and setting out the fruit beds in the back half.

and the list just goes on 

[BrianK]

Welcome to the real world  Isn't it great!!!

 

[Celery]

Go to the local car boot sale and get some courgette/ marrow/leek/you can put some Pak choi seed and chinese cabbage in.

                                                 celery 
                     
                      Pumkin for the children.

[compostqueen]

there's quite a few folks Freecycling their surplus plants so if you've not joined your local group, do so -  fast