[pacman]

Hi everyone, the wife & I have just got ourselves our 1st allotment 
however its had nothing done to it for the past 3 years so as you can imagine its in a bit of a mess 
We've started clearing the weeds that are knee high but any tips from you professionals out there would be much appreciated as to what to do first ect.

I was given a bag of potatoes and told to put them in to help break up the soil but at the minute im spraying weed killer around to try to find the soil in the first place 

Thanks Phil & Tracy 

[Yorkie]

Welcome to the site and congrats on your new lotty 

Best advice is to make sure you take a flask of tea with you to the plot 

Then, aim to clear a little and plant behind you rather than clear the whole lot.  So clear your spud area first.  There are a lot of posts in the Grow Your Own forum about growing through weed fabric or cardboard etc, though that's a matter of personal preference.  One thing I would say is to make sure that the weeds do not get on top of you - so weedkiller, as you've done, or cover them (not carpet) until you're ready for them.

Have a browse through these links for more info; the second one has an article somewhere on clearing the plot if you rummage for it!

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=49569.0

http://www.allotment-garden.org/growing_information.php

P.S. I've moved your post to GYO so more GYO'ners can see it

[plot6b]

Hello and welcome from me Plot 6b. Good luck with your Allotment.

[flitwickone]

yes good luck with the allotment it is hard work as you know but you will get there

[Rangerkris]

Welcome Pacman, where are you in the country fix your profile and it will help us answer your question's a little better.  Hope you enjoy your plot as much as we do our's.

[Timebandit]

welcome , you will find it's well worth all the hard work

[jondav]

I would be a bit dubious about using weedkiller to liberally,some weedkiller is persistant,and could affect any future crops,im afraid back breaking toil is the best answer,it will be worth it