[prestongirl82]

Hi all
I've had my plot for 3yrs in total. The first year we had a good supply of spuds, plums and blackcurrants and peas. The 2nd year we had blackcurrants, onions, garlic, broad beans, flowers, dug a pond and compost heap. This year has been ok. First half of the year we made raised beds, made paths and put bark chippings down, started building a shed from pallets and picked blackcurrants, onions and garlic.
I've not done anything to my plot since June, as I couldn't fit wellies or shoes on as I was 8 months pregnant!
I'm feeling very guilty, and know that the plot is 3ft high with grass.
The raised beds are all in one piece- not that you can see them, and the pond is doing well- we have resident frogs.
I have to start all over again. The first job is to strim the grass- which will take about 3 weekends as the plot is 33ft x 40ft.
The 2nd job is to burn all the grass and rebuild the compost heap.
Then we will try to finish off the shed. It currently has 3 sides and a floor.
I'll keep you posted how I'm getting on.

[Yorkie]

Good luck!

Before you strim, I'd suggest you spend a bit of time stomping around, making lots of noise, to alert the frogs to the need to get out of the way ... 

Can you not compost the grass trimmings?  It will be very wet and so is unlikely to burn too well, and to give off quite a bit of smoke if it does catch.

[prestongirl82]

Good ideas re: the frogs and the grass.
Problem is I have a lot of mares tail growing with the grass and wouldn't want it to take over the compost heap.

[simonwatson]

Marestail leaves that are open should be free of spores and actually make great compost. The closed stalks are full of spores and shouldn't be composted. That's what a big of googling turned up. I don't know what others opinions are.

[prestongirl82]

They are all open as they are all green, not brown and stumpy.
I'll put them in a separate compost bin and keep the lid on, hopefully they will die.

[Trillium]

Always better safe than sorry. Good luck and keep us posted.

[prestongirl82]

Well after a massive break I went to the allotment on Tuesday. I was quite surprised at how well it looks!
The grass and weeds have died as it has been very wet and cold. The pond is looking good.

We cut some grass down that has grown around the pond, and weeded 3 beds. Only 12 beds to weed now.
I looked on ebay for a petrol strimmer and won a 4 stroke one for £59- picked it up today. Hopefully if it's dry at the weekend I'll get down to the plot and strim away.

[Ema]

sounds like your be fine all the bad weathers been on your side. good price for the strimmer!