[RookieJim]

Hi All,

Just got a new 10 pole allotment in West Harrow which is in reasonably good condition. I'm fairly new to allotments outwith growing a few spuds an a small patch last year, with limited success.

As I'm new I really don't know where to start?

My plan is to cover half the patch until next year and do some clearing over the next 2 weeks to get some over winter onions and garlic in.

Do any of you know if this is a good way to start or shall i turn over the whole plot before winter (like my plot neighbours appear to have done)?

Also, any advice on clearing the weeds/long grass that's there at the minute?

Got some pics of the plot here:

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=99002.0

Thanks in advance,
Jim

[Goosegirl]

I would just cover some, and use what you can for over-wintered plants. I have seen lots of threads like this in the last couple of months or so - maybe we need (or already have) a place to go to on here?

[compostqueen]

There's a lot written on that very subject on here, so plenty of reading for you. 

[Yorkie]

If you click the Grow Your Own heading just underneath the top banner on this page, you'll find a number of articles, including Clearing the Plot.

As CQ & GG say, there have been a lot of similar threads over the last couple of weeks or so - have a rummage down the index page of the GYO forum 

I'd try to clear as much as you can before winter really sets in, if the soil is anything other than sandy.  I have soil which is a little clay-ey, and it's very difficult to work it in the new year because the soil is too sticky.

If the soil is sticking to your boots, stay off it as you'll do damage to the soil structure (and can curl up indoors with your seed catalogues instead!)

[grinling]

Frost breaks up clay soil, saves the back in the long term.

[Daamoot]

Hey Jim,

I'm also a novice and I have been thinking that turning the soil for the entire planting area I intend to use in the spring will be the way forward. I did start weeding it but there's so much that I've decided to turn it, bury them with some manure and hope the winter will break it all down for me.  With any luck, once the winter has passed the soil will be looser with better structure than if I'd left it.  It's mostly grass so maybe strimming it would make it more manageable.

Best of luck with it,
Damian

[Kleftiwallah]

Nothing like getting on with it,  however, too much walking on waterlogged soil can damage the soil structure.  I would try and find some planting to distrubute your weight while you dig. 

Cheers,    Tony.

[DD.]

I would try and find some planting

Cheers,    Tony.

I'm sure you mean "planking"! 

[RookieJim]

I would just cover some, and use what you can for over-wintered plants. I have seen lots of threads like this in the last couple of months or so - maybe we need (or already have) a place to go to on here?

Thanks guys. I've done a bit more research since my post, but really should have done it before hand. 

Heading down on Saturday morning to start it off. After i cut the weeds down, I plan on covering half with black tarp and digging the rest up to get some veg and plants in, weather permitting, of course.

I'm also looking forward to meeting my allotment neighbours as I'm sure they'll have a wealth of knowledge to share.

I'm particularly confussled about soil PH 

Jim

[lazza]

Are those artichoke thistles you have on there? Don't cut them down!

[RookieJim]

Lazza I have no idea? 

[Sideshoot]

sith mine i weed killed the whole area i was going to plant in, (30% had grape vines so left them etc) when they had all died i strimmed them down and rough dug it. Borrowed a rotovator and hey presto it looks great now.
Heres a coupld of pics;





and now with my onion sets in and a little tidying up.

[RookieJim]

It's looking good, Sideshoot. I've been advised not to use a rotivator as it can make the whole plot covered in weeds 

Good work, though.

Was it an organic weed killer?

Jim

[Sideshoot]

I used round up, i had the allotment comittee on my back saying i should of done more hence the dramatic change and using weedkiller.
Remarkably, when all was done the weeds are very very slow to return. everywhere i sprayed was totally dead before i rotovated, im thinking that i caught them before they set seed etc and that the weedkiller killed the roots too.

[lazza]

Lazza I have no idea? 

I'm pretty sure they are, in which case you should just cut down the big flower stems and cover with straw for the winter. Then you should get artichokes again next summer. Lovely!