[sledgeboy]

Hello all...
I have recently started with my new allotment and beneath the neck-high weeds the ground is long, straight, trenches and mounds.
My question is, do I..
1; level it all off and start from scratch, or
2; keep the mounds as a growing area and use the trenches in between as paths?

Any thoughts or ideas would be really appreciated.

[Weeble]

Once you have cleared it of the weeds, it will most likely need turning over and manure/compost added. This will level it off for you.

The problem with leaving the trenches is that not everything requires exactly the same growing space and if the hollows are below ground level they will get pretty wet when it rains.

[mumofstig]

You'll probably find that these are lazy beds.......that means raised beds without any wood around them
So I wouldn't level them out until you've had a chance to see how well draining the soil is, as they may have been growing in the raised beds for a reason
Bob Flowerdew grows all his veg in lazy beds

What size are they, and do they cover all your plot?
If you decide to keep them you only need to dig and manure the beds

[sledgeboy]

I believe they are 'lazy beds' although I hadn't heard them called that before.
I was told that the site can be a bit boggy when it rains (and I'm in Manchester, so that is quite often).
They cover the whole plot near enough.

[mumofstig]

I'd certainly leave them then

Have a look in the Library at Bob Flowerdew's books they may help.
You don't have to use them any differently, they just improve the drainage a bit and yes the paths will get a bit wet in the winter, but that's the point...it means your beds shouldn't be waterlogged

Good Luck!

[sledgeboy]

Thanks for the help.

If it stops raining, I can head down and get to work!

[savbo]

which site are you on Sledgeboy?

[Paul Plots]

Thanks for the help.

If it stops raining, I can head down and get to work!

Maybe waders instead of wellingtons for winter work? 

Here's wishing you the very best of luck. 

[peapod]

Thanks for the help.

If it stops raining, I can head down and get to work!

Tuesday apparently