Call from Council

I think if I were you, the first crops I'd put in after you've prepared the ground would be stuff that makes a dense canopy and isn't fussy about the soil. Two things that meet that criteria that I know from experience are potatoes and nasturtium. I've read that broad beans also fit that criteria but I don't know that one from experience. The idea is to grow things that will out-compete any surviving weeds and block the sunlight from getting to any weed seedlings.

 

Do you think that once we have cleared the plot manually of all the weeds, would it be advisable to work in some compost to the whole plot or do you think that because of the fact that the weeds (and other things which we have yet to discover) have grown well, would suggest that the soil is good enough and has enough nutrients to grow veg.

Thanks in advance,

 

Any area you might not use straight away cover with black plastic after digging you could aswell just heap the compost on top of the ground and let nature take it down,beware what you do with the weeds you dig out stuff like convulvus(sp) and dandelion are best burnt.

 

hi All,

Today has been our first day on the plot, we have sepent a good 7 hours there and are now 'broken'...... The man across the way had the plot before us and moved to the bigger plot. he has composted all the soil, so that's one thing we don't need to worry about. We have basically spent the day manually pulling all the weeds up, that will come up, leaving just the manual dig over to do next. We already have a row of parsnips and carrots. The mound in the pics is the weeds which we have moved.We have cleared space for the shed and the greenhouse which will hopefully go up over the next few days. It feels good to get going. The people who have introduced themselves to us, seem very nice and we have come away with lettuces and new pots, ready to eat. Enjoy the pics below and any advice is greatfully recieved.

 

hallo Brian,
WOW! Such a difference already.The soil looks in good nick and I should imagine nice to work with. No clay to induce blisters but it looks very free draining. Good carrot soil I think? Broad beans as a winter crop to leave in will give it nitrogen I reckon. Just dig the roots in post Winter. The other allomenters sound a decent bunch and I am truly envious of you both. Never had an allotment but remember my grandad's and used to spend a lot of time up there as a kid.
It is so nice to have your pictures to look at, thank you for the update.
Wishing you a nice,long ,relaxing Radox bath and a celebration drink,
cheers

 

glad you had a good first day, you will be up nd running before you know

 

Jealous, wish my "lottie" soil looked like that

 

Its cleared......and the planting begins........

 

Brian,
my jaw dropped when I opened up your #25!
IT LOOKS FANTASTIC!!
Olympic Gold Medal winners - you two
,
Jenny namaste

 

The people that have made the effort to introduce themselves are I'm sure (sincerely) good people. However be aware that they'll have done that more because they are nosey than out of a sense of civic duty. That's not a bad thing, just be aware of it. I bet in the casual conversations that followed they will have asked what you plan to do with the place and if you watch their faces as you reply, look carefully and you'll see badly concealed expressions of approval or disapproval as you talk.

None of that is bad. Its just human nature. Its just something to be aware of

I can see from your pics that your making excellent headway, and will have a prize winning plot in no time. You need to get a good fence around it though, unless there is a fence around the entire site. I think allotmenteers almost always abide by the code of conduct of not upsetting each other's plot, but if just anyone can get on site, then its a different story altogether.

 

Brilliant job Brian, your hoe is your best friend from now on and 10 mins a week should keep that soil weed free!

Steve...

 

Do you not mean a DAY Steve :-)

Jack McH