[vegypete]

hi ya i was down at the plot today doing some digging as you do  the bit i started on was dry and coverd in old stinging nettels very matted with the roots, stoney as hell i do not think this bit of ground has ever been cultivated, what would one do persever with pick axe and mattok, or cover it with mulch ie deep bed it?...........pete

[compostqueen]

On uncultivated soil I would add a very thick layer of cow muck (now if you can get it).  Let that sit there all winter and then in spring plant spuds there, leaving the muck in place. You can just make a hole and drop a spud in.  Spuds are very good a breaking soils up and the muck left in place will add moisture to the soil so you'll find that in spring the soil under the muck is moist. It will add nutrients to give you a good crop of potatoes

You can also grow pumpkins and squashes on rough ground. They like a good dose of manure too.

[gavinjconway]

I find a pick does the best job if the soil is hard like yours.. Today I did 5x2mt and just persevered and eventually it was done..

[cooperman]

Is this a council allotment? If so any council worth its salt (like mine) will have the plot turned over (weeds & all I'm afraid but hey its turned over at least) by an industrial rotavator.

Forinstance, on my allotment site there was a few fallow plots not been used for years the site agent got in a mini JCB that skimmed off the top grass and then rough dug the whole area......

[mumofstig]

You are lucky then, not many councils are prepared/able to spend money clearing an allotment, that's why we have some amazing before and after allotment photos 

[bigben]

You are lucky then, not many councils are prepared/able to spend money clearing an allotment, that's why we have some amazing before and after allotment photos 

I can second that - when I took over my allotment I had a 10 pole plot of fairly solid bramble and bindweeds. I had to shoulder barge the door in as the brambles where shoulder height and stopped it opening. It had been left uncultivated for around 6 years despite a waiting list.

I got a Chillington hoe and it was brilliant at breaking up hard ground and getting brambles out. Sadly the bindweed need careful forking out once I had broken up the ground. Amazon are selling them for £12.80 - they are worth a try.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-GT52-Digging-Hoe/dp/B000LFXV2I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320657004&sr=8-1

[Axe]

im in a similar place...altho its my back garden!..just moved in and the ground is full of rubble and oily/petrol mess...so im double digging down (about one to 2 foot) and riddling out the stones aswell as removing any contaminated soil...it is taking an age to do...but im sure the benefits will be well worth it in the end!...and its slow and backbreaking work   

[sunshineband]

Going back to vegypete's original question:

I think the nettles might come up through any soil improver you put down, so if t'were me, I'd dig out the roots as much as possible before adding any manure layers etc, to reduce what you will have to deal with later.

Then as CQ said, spuds would be a good first crop and you could take out any remaining nettle roots as you earth up.

[Yorkie]

I agree with sunshineband.  Nettle roots are thugs 

[gavinjconway]

Would you guys recommend covering with black plastic after digging and forking out all the roots..

[sunshineband]

Opinions vary

I would on my plot, but my soil prones to water log in the winter.

Vegypete's sounds like it needs water, so I would use weed suppressant membrane instead.

Other would want the ground exposed to the elements

[vegypete]

hy ya just a thought after sunshinebands post, if i clear the roots then cover in plastic the soil will stay dry and be hard to dig, but if left exposed to the elements will it be easier to dig, will the nettels come back befor the spring?...........pete

[sunshineband]

Yes they will, but not tall

[bazh]

Pete you don't say how large the area is, but personally I'd just persevere and dig it thoroughly as possible removing as many roots and stones as you can and leave it open to the elements, if some nettles come back which they probably will they'll be easier to remove from freshly dug ground, manure it as you clear a bit you've got at least 4 months to get it done and spuds would definately be the way to go as already suggested.

[compostqueen]

Heavy duty sheet mulch is porous and will keep weeds at bay and keep the soil underneath in good condition. I find it's a real help when clearing weedy areas or for giving you breathing space while you tackle another bit.  It's expensive but if looked after will last a lifetime

Nettles are a fact of life on allotments and it shows that your soil is fertile. They are good compost activators and the tops are edible.  Leave some growing in the plot margins as they provide egg laying sites for cabbage whites. Rather there than on your brassicas