Just got an allotment (Merged)

RHYSDAD

Hi all!
I've been lucky enough to get a 10 rod allotment straight away and want to get going on it as soon as possible but need some advice from more experienced people. At the moment the site is literally just grass, a few thistles but that is it mainly. I won't get growing anything until next spring so i'm going to spend the Autumn/winter preparing the site ready for then. What's the order of what i should do and what should i do to best prepare the site. I will mention that i want Organic options wherever possible please! Many Thanks

RHYSDAD

Well thanks for all the replies. I'm still none the wiser

Zazen999

Hi.
I think you might not have got replies as this comes up so often that people might be a little weary...no offence like.

i would search this forum under 'new allotment', but it wouldn't take long to scroll through some of the recent messages to look at what advice has been given about clearing the ground etc.

elantan

i'm in the same prediciment was hoping your thread was gonna answer for me as well lol..good luck let me know how you get on

Nikki

We have 2 10 pole allotments. We got the 1st in march this year, which was a bit late for us to do any major weed killing before preparing to plant. Unfortunately our allotments are right next to the Thames and pretty much everything has been killed by the floods. So we have bought a large amount of good quality weed surpressant fabric to completely cover both plots for the autumn and winter as there is little else we can do at this time of year. This will kill most of the weeds and save us a job for the next growing season, we fought a losing battle with weeds this year as we had no time to prepare properly.

clarej1985

If your allotment is anything like near where mine is the other people there will be more than willing to help with any questions you may ask!
Normally, as soon as they notice a new face around they will all drift over to come and say hi!
I got mine in June, i strimmed the 'grass' (was over 6ft tall) then threw a load of carpet over it to kill all the grass throughout the winter.
Im pretty sure theres a better way of dealing with it, but it seems to be working! :eek:

RHYSDAD

Many Thanks. I guess that the locals will Help out. Will let you know how i get on elantan.

elantan

thanks rhysdad i will deff appreciate it ...i dont have an allotment unfortunatley we only have 107 in our full council area 6 change hands on average a year and there are 135 on the waiting list i think i may wait a wee while lol...so i wont be able to get any wisdom while i'm pottering in my garden ....it is quite big though (well i think so) biggest ive had and would really love some hints tips etc ...

Destined_to_be_skint

Did you know that by law your council is supposed to provide allotments for every single person that asks for one? Unfortunately this piece of legislation (dating from 1908) has never been tested in court and what with all the councils trying to build new homes on every spare plot going they probably won't ever fulfill this requirement, but it might be worth mentioning in a letter to them! The more people that complain, the better!

elantan

do you know what law exactly that is and is it english /scottish/welsh/irish/uk wide .....might be interesting to find that out