Getting adjacent allotment

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)
Post Reply
User avatar
multiveg
Living the good life
Living the good life
Posts: 300
Joined: Mon Jun 05, 2006 11:28 am
Location: Gwynedd
Contact:

Getting adjacent allotment

Post: # 76745Post multiveg »

Just signed the agreement for the adjacent plot to what we have currently. However, the tenancy doesn't start until 1st March 2008. The plot has bindweed and hasn't been weeded for at least a year. We'll be trimming the hedges next time we are down (starting to encroach on the main footpath up the side of the allotment site). I don't want to dig (!) until the tenancy actually starts. With winter coming/here, is it worth weeding with a hoe. What else could we do before the start of the tenancy down there?

User avatar
Chickenlady
A selfsufficientish Regular
A selfsufficientish Regular
Posts: 586
Joined: Wed Mar 02, 2005 10:17 pm
Location: Colchester, Essex

Post: # 77359Post Chickenlady »

How about covering it with old carpet or plastic to weaken the weeds a bit?
Haste makes waste

User avatar
Cheezy
A selfsufficientish Regular
A selfsufficientish Regular
Posts: 675
Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 10:00 pm
Location: Darlington UK

Post: # 77398Post Cheezy »

I would definitely advocate the use of the black plastic.

1. It will kill off weeds, but new weed seeds will still be dormant until the warm weather, so you'll only gain a slight advantage at this time.
2. I will warm up quicker next year
3. It will keep off a lot of the worst of the wet, allowing easier digging when you get round to it.
It's not easy being Cheezy
So you know how great Salsify is as a veg, what about Cavero Nero,great leaves all through the winter , then in Spring sprouting broccolli like flowers! Takes up half as much room as broccolli

User avatar
multiveg
Living the good life
Living the good life
Posts: 300
Joined: Mon Jun 05, 2006 11:28 am
Location: Gwynedd
Contact:

Post: # 77542Post multiveg »

OH has been doing things on it! We don't officially get it until March, but he won't leave it alone! He's been weeding it (well, dealing mainly with the perennials), and cutting back the hedge.
There is some carpet down already, and the lazy tenants (didn't last 18 months) had used plastic which is now falling to bits.

Peggy Sue
A selfsufficientish Regular
A selfsufficientish Regular
Posts: 1120
Joined: Tue Jun 19, 2007 1:27 pm
Location: Godmanchester, Cambs, UK

Post: # 77737Post Peggy Sue »

Have you tried checking it out with your society/ allotment group steward if it's OK to just get on and dig? I have 2 plots which officially don't become ours til next April, one we got in June one in Sept and I'm busy growing on them, refenced one, built 3 compost heaps and have shifted a shed onto one.

Not sure if it varies from place to place but round here once the steward has said it's yours you can get cracking- you just don't have to PAY til next April :cheers:
Just Do It!

Post Reply