Oh. My. God.....

[sunpuppy]

....I have just come back from my new, hideously overgrown allotment after attacking the weeds for three hours (gave up in despair after that).

When I left, it looked just the same as when I first got there , and I think I've now developed arthritis in every joint in my body!

Pleeese tell me it gets easier........

[Chickenlady]

It gets easier.

[Chickenlady]

Ooh, I'm Tom Goode - can't wait to be Barbara! (Will I get a bum like Felicity Kendal?)

[Wombat]

Well it didn't work for me (Thankfully )

Nev

[wulf]

If you can, take some pictures - I love looking back at how our garden has been brought under control over the last few years but if you don't take pictures of how bad it is now, you'll find it hard to remember when the place has been tamed!

Wulf

[Andy Hamilton]

....I have just come back from my new, hideously overgrown allotment after attacking the weeds for three hours (gave up in despair after that).

When I left, it looked just the same as when I first got there , and I think I've now developed arthritis in every joint in my body!

Pleeese tell me it gets easier........

You have tried putting down some old hesian backed carpet on areas that you might not use? Must keep emphasisng that point as it really does make it easier for next year. No carpet? Cardboard does the job and will also rot down into the soil.

I am still having to battle with weeds, make sure you at least dead head the weeds to stop them setting seed, one year of seed = 7 years of weed, or something like that, in the words of John Seymore.

It does get easier but it wont seem like it for a while.

[sunpuppy]

You have tried putting down some old hesian backed carpet on areas that you might not use? Must keep emphasisng that point as it really does make it easier for next year. No carpet? Cardboard does the job and will also rot down into the soil.

I've got half the plot covered with some heavy duty plastic banner stuff from the Ideal Home Exhibition, which a very nice lady on the allotments lent me. They're very friendly down there - I had at least four people come up and introduce themselves to me while I was there.

At the moment I'm concentrating on clearing all the weeds on the other half of the plot, but as I'm reluctant to use weed killer (want to go organic), it's a case of elbow grease. I also discovered that a corner of the plot is piled high with broken glass, bricks, and assorted debris, which I'm going to have to take to the dump at some point.

Reckon it'll be worth it though - can't wait to get planting!

[Andy Hamilton]

Reckon it'll be worth it though - can't wait to get planting!

It is a really nice feeling. Do you have any plants growing from seed around your house/flat? My windowsills are full of seedlings at the moment. Always good to give them a bit of a head start.

[sunpuppy]

If you can, take some pictures - I love looking back at how our garden has been brought under control over the last few years but if you don't take pictures of how bad it is now, you'll find it hard to remember when the place has been tamed!

Wulf

Yup, thought of that - took the diggie camera down there and managed to get four pics before the heavens opened and I had to sit in the car for half an hour watching Nature's Watering Can do it's stuff...

Once I've got some measure of order on the plot, I'll try and post the before and after pics.

[shiney]

It is a backbreaking job clearing an overgrown plot. The allotment I had was like that, but we tackled it with carpet and did a bit at a time. Shame I gave it up.

What does make me go GGRRRR is some of theallotments I have me beady eyes on are overgrown and unloved.

[sunpuppy]

What does make me go GGRRRR is some of theallotments I have me beady eyes on are overgrown and unloved.

Shiney, maybe you could ask the person who controls the plot allocation if the people who have these plots might be persuaded to part with them? In my (admittedly v.limited) experience the allocators are much happier having someone who will look after the plot, and they might just convince the errant plot holders that they would like to give up their plot (either that or shame them into doing something about the state of their allotment, which would at least be less frustrating for you!)

[shiney]

Yes, that's quite a good idea, apart from the other 11 people who are on the four year waiting list for the plots. It's worth trying anything for sure.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

[sunpuppy]

It is a really nice feeling. Do you have any plants growing from seed around your house/flat? My windowsills are full of seedlings at the moment. Always good to give them a bit of a head start.

Yes, I've got broccoli and tomato seedlings growing on the windowsill and the other half is growing chillis and herbs (of the non-smokable kind ). He's not convinced himself yet that this gardening lark is for him (probably just an excuse not to get digging down the 'lottie!) but can't quite conceal his fascination for watching a tiny seed sprout into a real honest-to-goodness live plant over a matter of weeks.

I'll have him digging the potato bed before he knows it.....

[shiney]

Yeah go for it Sunpuppy! Digging the spud bed is hard work. Great for getting fit ~ and don't you know about it the next day?

Do let us know how you get along. All the hard work will bring great results. 8)

[Magpie]

I haven't bothered with digging potato beds, I just lay down newspaper (even over lawn/grass whatever) then add a layer of compost, pop your spuds on top, and cover with straw. By the time the newspsper has rotted, the grass or weeds have dies, making even more nutrients for the spuds. The spuds end up doing the digging for you! A great way of clearing weeds.