New to this game

Denise's picture
Denise Posted at 08:34 on Tue, 11/11/2008

I have had my allotment about 4 weeks, it is full size and has been completely neglected. With the help of my husband (he's not really into gardening but is a willing labourer with the promise of many rhubarb crumbles to come) we have made a good start despite the wet weather. Any advise anyone can give me regarding clearing a plot would be gratefully received.

Many thanks, Denise

Clearing

Monker Posted at 19:57 on Wed, 11/19/2008

Hi Denise, I know a new plot can seem daunting. I guess that you should be able
to hire a rotavator for a few quid from your local allotment association, but I am not keen on them myself. Some people like double digging but if the land has been cultivated recently you can save yourself the bother and lay some mature down early spring and let the worms do the work.

Good luck !

Monker

Monkers Allotment Blog

Hull Indie Web

Denises rough plot

algynon Posted at 17:45 on Tue, 11/11/2008

Don't be tempted to try and dig a rough plot
first of all search it for broken glass and any other type of rubbish and despatch it to the local tip In the meantime take your spade to the local hardware shop and have the edge ground really sharp
If you have not got access to a brushcutter get your spade and skim off all the nettles brambles and whatever else is lurking there to ground level bag it up and take that to the local tip then you are ready to start digging. If you are not used to digging don't be tempted to try and do too much at once or you will finish up with nothing but a bad back and don't try to remove all the weed roots all at once If you are new to allotmenteering learn what Bindweed,Docks, Nettles, Creeping buttercup and twitch ( Couch Grass ) are. Also don't be tempted to rotavate a rough plot as you will only make it worse

Rough dig

shovel Posted at 16:15 on Tue, 11/11/2008

Hi Denise,

Don't worry too much about getting your beds fully prepared - just rough dig them into big clods and let the winter frosts do the rest of the work breaking up the soil.

If you need more advice, you'd be better off posting it on the forum. The blogs are more of a personal diary of your allotment.

Hope that helps,