Following in Master's foot steps!

Well although we have had a nasty shock at the hospital earlier this week and it looked like Bob didn't think we would be able to take on an allotment we decided to at least go and see if there were any spare and couldn't believe our luck because we got one!

Needless to say nappies in the veg patch is going to be so far behind us now!:thumb:

The plot needs clearing 5ft high full of nettles but we're raring to go its costing us £2 each in subs, £5 for water and no other fees for the first year!

I used my charm on the guys already and got a few freebies from them even offered to weed an older gentleman's plot for him... the lovely fellow couldn't believe his luck!

So it will come as no suprise to learn we are total newbies and intend to clear the site and get it ready as soon as we can although I'm sure we will not be anywhere near as fast as Colin (Master) as goodness knows what he puts in his tea but we could use some of it!

Any ideas what we should aim for?

Been told by one old fellow to cut the nettles down and use weedkiller on it but I would prefer to cut down and dig over the area if I can get away with that instead of using weedkiller if I can.Hel.xxx.

 

Hel, even if you did use weedkiller, you`d still have to dig the roots out. So you may as well do it first as last. Don`t go killing yourselves, aim to have it ready for NEXT season, but, as you are cultivating an area plant something in it. That way you are not only benefitting from it in year 1, you are also going to encourage yourselves to keep at it. I had an allotment for 13 years, and loved every moment of it.

 

Pull up the nettles and compost them, there's your plant feed for the potatoes you may as well plant so that as you till the ground, you've got something growing. Potatoes is a great crop to start off new ground, you can be really rough with them without fear of damaging them beyound repair.
I don't know how big your new lottie is, but it's bound to be HUGE compared to my little plot. I've extended a few square yards each year and planted spuds in the new bit and it's a good productive way to keep the ground weed free. I don't know how I'd cope with a full lottie, my little garden plot seems to take all my time up so take it slow and easy and enjoy :thumb:

 

Nettle roots are comparitvly easy to dig, simply fork them up.

 

Terrier - Can the nettle roots go in the compost, or only the foliage?

 

I put the lot in, root, soil and top. Never seem to have any trouble with them re growing. Alternatively, drown them in a bucket of water for a few weeks, strain it off, use the liquid as plant feed and compost what should now be dead vegetation.
Don't forget nettles are benificial to your garden, not only for a green manure but also as home to a lot of garden creatures, so don't kill 'em all off.

 

Apparently the young tops make a very tasty soup - fry chopped onions gently in butter for a few minutes until soft, then add a few chopped-up boiled potatoes, a small amount of vegetable stock and the nettles, just enough stock so they can simmer 'til soft. Cool for 10 mins, add cream, ground black pepper and salt to taste, and liquidise.
Crushed garlic can be added with the onions if you like.
Re-heat and serve with toasted crusty bread.

( I haven't tried it, 'coz I don't have any nettles. Sounds nice though..... )

cheers,
Dave