Just been given an allotment

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LOL in the blog the guy complains about getting the lock of the gate and says he had to cut through the fence instead. :lol: Maybe it was the guy before him that put the lock on? Did you ge the lock off? If not pop down B&Q and buy a battery powered grinder... Cut it off and take the grinder back as faulty and get a full refund... :rofl:
 
If you're comfortable using weed killer it will make life easier, personally I won't go near the stuff. Make sure you are allowed to use it and make sure your plot is level....ish. If it's on an slope to you neighbours plots the WK could find it's way onto their plot with heavy rain....not what you want to do :shock:
A big rotavator will do the job but the emphasis is on big, forget about using a smaller one. Worth checking for brambles and couch grass runners before hiring as they will create a lot of trouble for you and a rotavator.
If it's just bog standard grass you could just dig it in. It will take a while but now is the right time of year for digging a plot over, and best get a move on...the frosts are coming :lol: :tongue:
 
I think I may do a bit of weed killing to part of the plot. I'm not sure, I assume to dig it over I dig a trench, then loosen that with a fork... And then put the grass in to the bottom of the trench?
My only gardening has been on prepared land.

I've got my sister and her husband down next weekend to help with some digging, I may draught in my parents and some friends have raised interest if beer is available, maybe some hot food!

im going down tonight and tomorrow to clear a patch.
 
I had intentions of just using manual tools only on my lotty when I got it 3 years ago.

Fast forward to now and I have a rotavator, strimmer, and bucket of military grade glyphosate. Sorry but its the only way if you work for a living.

Do a little often.

Realistically, in the summer youll have to spend 2 hrs per day and 8 hours over the weekend.
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I'd disagree that you need to spend that much time, but you certainly need to pop down twice a week or so and do at least one good session on the weekend. Its the weeding that takes so much time. Try not to allow any weeds to flower or set seed. 1 years seeds = 3 years weeds!
 
and bucket of military grade glyphosate. Sorry but its the only way if you work for a living.
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I worked a standard week and had a 20m x 20m double lotty, never used weed killer. In summer you have to accept you'll never keep it weed free unless you're retired or spend a lot of time there.
I'd disagree that you need to spend that much time, but you certainly need to pop down twice a week or so and do at least one good session on the weekend.
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That's how we do it, every other day during the week to water the greenhouse and one day at the weekend.
Don't get too caught up on weeds, they're not that much of a problem unless you let them go to seed, in fact it's easier to let them grow a bit then pull em out. Decent spacing between crops so you can hoe weeds easily, or use a mantis tiller on weed setting...god send :lol:
I assume to dig it over I dig a trench, then loosen that with a fork... And then put the grass in to the bottom of the trench?
Click to expand...
You can, but just digging and turning should do it with standard grass (assumes digging spade depth and turning) and this time of year the frost will break the soil up for you. If you have the time removing the grass is the best way, but it's about having the time.

EDIT...just realised when saying above I don't tend my lotty alone, my wife helps too :cool:
 
This summer I completely landscaped the garden in my new house (with the help of my dad). The garden had a few small trees and a 20 year old oak which I had chopped down (after checking with the council that I could). With all the roots everywhere and overgrown shrubs and grasses amongst old rockeries was quite a job.

I would serioulsy recommend getting an american spade if you can ( the ones with the points on) they are far better for shifting overgrown ground than standard ones. We ended up fighting over who got to use it each day because you was twice as quick using it and it was far less back breaking getting it into the ground. They are useless at levelling for building jobs though)
 
One neat trick for controlling weeds and other pests is to take advantage of companion planting. It allows you to plant much more densely, which both limits weed growth and increases the amount of crops you get from any area.

One of the best and easiest combinations is beans (esp. runners or climbing French) with courgettes, winter squash &/or pumpkins. The beans provide nitrogen to the squash, and the big squash leaves reduce evaporation from the soil and deny seedling weeds access to light. If you have success with sweetcorn (I never have) you can use them as climbing-frames for the beans. This combination of three plants is known as the three sisters, and has been used for millennia by native American farmers.

French marigolds deter nematodes, so are useful around nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, etc.). Their leaves and flowers are also edible.

Plant parsnips near apple and other fruit trees and let them bolt (using the seeds for next year's crop) and the seed heads will attract predatory insects that feed on pests.
 
Just been given an allotment myself today! Great spot in Derby its got a greenhouse, shed and even a little pond! Cant wait for Spring/Summer to see the homegrown wine threads :D
 
Vossy1 said:
and bucket of military grade glyphosate. Sorry but its the only way if you work for a living.
Click to expand...
I worked a standard week and had a 20m x 20m double lotty, never used weed killer. In summer you have to accept you'll never keep it weed free unless you're retired or spend a lot of time there.
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Fair enough. I suppose it depends on the state of the thing though. Mine is chockers with bindweed, couch grass, burdocks, mint, and horseradish having been untended for many years.... plus its very heavy clay. It goes from OMG sticky mud to OMG hard as concrete in about 2 weeks no way you can just pull stuff out of that! :shock:
 
I have been told that wooden soled leather upper clogs are great for the garden if you are digging as it lets you use lots if pressure but spreads it over your whole foot.
 
I know nothing about allotments, but as a biker who likes to know his bike will be where he left it, I know a bit about locks...

You are going to need a decent battery grinder with a slitting disc, or three, to get through that. If you try and batter it off with a hammer you're likely to knacker the gate it's holding shut, if you try and hacksaw it you're going to still be at it come harvet festival next year.

Alternately, borrow a gas axe!!
 
Pipe freezing kit and a big hammer with a sharp chisel. Not many locks will take that.
 
The lock is proving to be a real pain in the ****, without a doubt. maybe if I left something expensive inside then somebody would do it for me in seconds!
 
Shrek said:
Pipe freezing kit and a big hammer with a sharp chisel. Not many locks will take that.
Click to expand...

I'd be wary of freezing that, it's is securing what looks like a wrought iron gate, the wrought iron will be more susceptible to freezing than a half decent lock is.

Locks with big square bodies like that can be quite resistant to freezing, the really good ones will have a hardened outer shell and ductile inner so they resist both drilling and hammering attacks.

OK, it's not a Squire S65CS, but shutter locks are tough beggars.

This might be useful ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpc5IebHoac
 
I knew it would be dead easy for somebody who knows what they are doing to pick, I may just cut the gate bolt off if its nto gone tomorrow night and throw a chain around it. I have the chain ready.
 
I suppose it depends on the state of the thing though. Mine is chockers with bindweed, couch grass, burdocks, mint, and horseradish having been untended for many years.... plus its very heavy clay. It goes from OMG sticky mud to OMG hard as concrete in about 2 weeks no way you can just pull stuff out of that!
Click to expand...
That's why we pulled off that lotty J all the neighbours invading weeds...grrrr...not to mention the fact that the last year we were there it was 1/2 flooded for 4 months at the beginning of the season (so no crops at all) due to solid clay 12" down, and then baked solid like yours :roll:
I may just cut the gate bolt off if its nto gone tomorrow night and throw a chain around it. I have the chain ready.
Click to expand...
That may be the best option, those close shackle locks are awkward sods. Did the previous holders leave on good terms...maybe they ant their lock back :lol:
 
Garlic (Solent White) and Onion (Shakespeare) went in yesterday. I don't have much room so they had to go in pots. It's my first go at growing them so it's a bit of an experiment really. Not sure if I've left enough room in between plants for them to grow well as the instructions were more for growing in lines. There's approx 15cm in between garlic cloves, and 10 cm between the onions.

 
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