Allotment Virgin plea for help

[vegancat]

A little advice from anyone would be welcome ! I just became an 'allottee' for the first time and want to be totally organic. Having nearly covered the plot with polythene and old carpet various people have wondered why I havnt got 'stuck-in' straight away and dug and planted, it being Spring and all !. But I wanted to 'give the soil a rest'. Didnt it used to be called lying fallow or somthing ? and am not completely sure just what may have been used by the lst owner. Anyway it is very overgrown. Perhaps I'm just being lazy, but these comments have me wondering nonetheless. Did I do the right thing or should I be whipping all the covers off and working up a sweat ? help......

[shiney]

When we got out last allotment, which we sadly don't have anymore. We did put old carpets on to get shot of the overgrown weeds etc. But within months we decided to dig over just a little of it and get some spuds in.

It helped break up the soil as well as having something to show for our first season. As well as the stiff arms and backs.

It's your allotment, take your time. Good luck with it!

[Andy Hamilton]

Totally up to you what you do. Personally I would not have the patiences. It will definetly be worth it in the long run.

However, according to the allotment handbook some weeds can take up to six years of cover before they will die off.

Potatoes is a good idea for breaking up the soil shiney is right. One of the first things that went on my allotment was a rosemary plant it is now pretty big and does not need much attention. Perhaps a perenial herb or two might also be an idea many farmers markets will sell some organic ones.

[sunpuppy]

I've just got an allotment too. Half is currently covered with heavy duty plastic to kill off the weeds and I'm planning to dig the other half and try to at least plant plant spuds, and maybe a few other bits and pieces this season. It just gives you a bit of psychological encouragement to see something growing straightaway...

But I agree with Shiney - take your time and do what YOU want. There are no 'rules' as such.....

[couscous]

While it's a good idea to cover ground in plastic or carpet to suppress the weeds; it doesn't solve the problem of the weed seeds in the ground. The first time you dig - voila - up come the new weeds. Some weed seeds remain viable for 15 years or more. If you have the time - or inclination - after the weeds have died dig a little patch, wait a week or so for new weeds to appear and then recover. Repeat endlessly. Making me tired just typing this - good luck and just think how fit you'll be by the end of the season!