Allotment the 2nd

This is the place to discuss not just allotments but all general gardening problems and queries which don't fit into the specific categories below.
(formerly allotments and tips, hints and problems)
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Allotment the 2nd

Post: # 293613Post Viper254 »

After a bit of nagging about how I'm not getting out to meet people (which is true, I work at home and so haven't met a huge amount of people since moving to the Midlands) and the encroachment on my allotment to the rear of the house for more "gardenish" things, I've killed two bird with one stone and joined the local allotment society.

Plenty to be getting on with for sure.

The plan is to keep the more high-maintenance stuff at the back of the house, and move the slower-growers to what I'm going to refer to as "Parksite" to avoid confusing myself. Unfortunatly I've not been able to get down there yet, so I've just got a photo for now!

It's the long, thin, overgrown half plot that's mine.
20200309_165511_resized.jpg
20200309_165511_resized.jpg (695 KiB) Viewed 15292 times
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Re: Allotment the 2nd

Post: # 293616Post ina »

Looks like there'll be plenty to keep you busy with...
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Re: Allotment the 2nd

Post: # 293619Post Flo »

You got a good spade and fork?

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Re: Allotment the 2nd

Post: # 293622Post Viper254 »

Flo wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 4:00 pm You got a good spade and fork?
Yep, a few of each that we inherited with the house.
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Re: Allotment the 2nd

Post: # 293635Post Flo »

:mrgreen: Two good knees and a strong back as well?

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Re: Allotment the 2nd

Post: # 293643Post Weedo »

This is one of those situations where I would get someone in with a Dingo or Skidder, tipper and a rotary hoe - half a day would put you weeks ahead. But then, I am extremely time poor. Any idea what has been burnt in the middle?
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Re: Allotment the 2nd

Post: # 293644Post Viper254 »

Yes, it's a pile of wood pallets that's been burnt in the middle.

I must confess that I slipped down there for an hour at dusk yesterday and started digging when I was sure the site would be very, very quiet. There's a lot of couch grass and docks. I've transplanted a few surplus fruit bushes, moved some rhubarb crowns in (not the ideal time to do it, but they've been forced out of the home allotment due to a collapsing wall) and rearranged that path a little to make more sense.

My knees and back are working fine, so hopefully all good for now :) I'm realistic about the amount of digs and re-digs that it's going to take to get the weeds under control for sure. I don't think I can afford machinery hire at the moment and I'm keeping outgoings to an absolute minimum in case of unfolding events nationally.

What you can't quite see is that maybe 30% of the plot has been covered; in the foreground of the picture you can see the edge of the tarp. When I've found my feet in a couple of week's time and got a load of muck in, I'll be taking that up and getting stuff sown in there, moving the tarp back to the middle section and giving that 6/12 months under cover to try and get that under control as well. the aim is to then get a small poly about halfway up for starting seedlings etc. Tomato, courgette, aubergine and squash production is to remain at the home allotment so it's easier for myself or Mrs. Viper to keep them regularly watered from the well.

Cabbages and potatoes will be going in up at Parksite. A plan slowly forms :)
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Re: Allotment the 2nd

Post: # 293648Post Flo »

At least if there's a total lock down and you've made some effort the committee will have to forgive you eh?

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Re: Allotment the 2nd

Post: # 293666Post Viper254 »

They seem fairly laissez-faire anyway. I'll get up there over the weekend and continue turning over - a lot of people won't be there, i guess!
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Re: Allotment the 2nd

Post: # 293667Post Flo »

So long as there is distance between you - no problem at the moment. I'm sure most of them won't want to dig up couch and docks while you stand in the locality with a telescope and shouting "Go back, you've missed some". :wink: :mrgreen:

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Re: Allotment the 2nd

Post: # 293669Post ina »

Btw - that reminds me - what do you do with couch grass once you've dug it up? I always used to think if I compost it for long enough, it'll kill it. But I've no long-term space in compost bins at the moment.
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Re: Allotment the 2nd

Post: # 293671Post Flo »

Nah composting doesn't kill couch but burning does.

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Re: Allotment the 2nd

Post: # 293672Post ina »

That may well be, but burning is not possible here. Drowning, maybe? Or, I suppose, there's those little garden incinerators... Might have to look into that.
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Re: Allotment the 2nd

Post: # 293675Post Flo »

Drowning does produce a smell. Bag it and bin it could be a way to go. Small amounts hidden in some packaging won't get noticed in the general waste collection?

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Re: Allotment the 2nd

Post: # 293677Post Green Aura »

Does the black bag in the sun trick work, like it does for other perennial weeds?
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