A Chance of an allotment

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A Chance of an allotment
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Sarah D

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 2584

Posted: Tue Dec 28, 04 11:14 pm Post subject:

You could get someone to help strim it down to the ground, then ocver it over with polythene, and start on it in manageable chunks, working along it digging out roots as you go, etc; or you could build up permaculture type mulch beds on the first uncovered bit to get you going - they work very well, and aren't too demanding physically, and you would be ready in time to put in braod beans. etc in the spring.

Have a look and see if there is a LETS scheme in your area you could join - someone there may be able to come and help.

On the other hand, brambles = jam and wine.............

Behemoth

Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds

Posted: Wed Dec 29, 04 1:38 pm Post subject:
If in doubt take on a half plot or ask the allotment c'tee if it's Ok to only cultivate half in the first year to see if you can cope, physically and time wise. if you're rescuing a derelict plot they'll probably run with it.

mrutty

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 1578

Posted: Wed Dec 29, 04 2:34 pm Post subject:

alison wrote:

ds, I hear what you are saying. I thought all the gardening gurus would be advising you and could give some ideas on this too.

Hope all goes well at the docs.

Sorry MIL was here so no PC time.

You can spend as much time or as little time as you want. If you spray with weedkiller in the spring then you time goes down as it does it you cover the plot with weed barriers (carpet, plastic, paper, etc)

I'd work on two hour min a week and then add extra if you can. For a new plot, spray burn and rotovate if you can. You'll have a good start for this year in 5 weeks.

Don't be snobby about weed killers as sometimes you need a little help. The end result will still be a better product than the supermarket.

Remember to take it slow and build up to the bigger digging projects.

mbeirnes

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 100

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 05 11:16 am Post subject:
Carefull on the rotovating front Especially if you have perenial weeds loke couch grass etc

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 05 12:14 pm Post subject:

Sarah D wrote:

On the other hand, brambles = jam and wine.............

I was also thinking strim nettles back and eat the new shoots as a crop. I've been trying to grow the critters for a veg crop, beer ingredient etc and it's taken a couple of years.

I also like the idea of perenial crops, I think that would be good for an article in itself. Not just fruit and herbs, but salad & veg.

wellington womble

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 05 1:05 pm Post subject:

I'm on the side of the party (a working one, that is) if you don't feel your friends and reletives would be up for/to it, then pay someone to do the clearing for you, either in one go, or a couple of hours a week. It's the sort of thing where trading via a lets scheme would work really well. I'd reckon it'd be worth the outlay in the end. Keeping on top of it is much less hard work.

I agree with mrutty about the weedkillers, even if it's just in the initial clearing phase.

I'd say for the minimal cost of allotment rent, give it a go. You won't make the site any worse, and if it's got in to that state, there can't be many people wanting them.

deerstalker

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 589

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 05 1:29 pm Post subject:
Doc reckons no chance (but what does he know about allotments?)! He said first thing was hydrotherapy. Now I rather like the idea of a gorgeous young physiotherapist in a swimsuit bathing me in warm water! But knowing my luck, I'll get an 18 stone ex rugby team physio. with a hairy back, holding my head under water for 10 minutes!

Sarah D

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 2584

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 05 1:36 pm Post subject:

Deerstalker wrote:

But knowing my luck, I'll get an 18 stone ex rugby team physio. with a hairy back, holding my head under water for 10 minutes!

Ah well, I shan't bother coming round, then...................

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45709
Location: Essex

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 05 1:39 pm Post subject:
Once you've done the initial clearing up there's loads of low maintenance/no maintenance methods you can use.

nettie

Joined: 02 Dec 2004
Posts: 5888
Location: Suffolk

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 05 1:53 pm Post subject:

Deerstalker wrote:

But knowing my luck, I'll get an 18 stone ex rugby team physio. with a hairy back, holding my head under water for 10 minutes!

That would be great, you can get him to clear the allotment for you.

Mrs Fiddlesticks

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 10460

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 05 2:36 pm Post subject:
i'm going to very quietly say acupuncture.... No intention of starting a thread here on complimentary medicine. Does the doc reckon allotmenting will make things worse? If not an allotment is there something you can do to your existing garden that will give you the satisfaction of home grown veg but in a more manageable way?

wellington womble

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 05 3:45 pm Post subject:

Deerstalker wrote:

Now I rather like the idea of a gorgeous young physiotherapist in a swimsuit bathing me in warm water!

They're the ones you really have to watch! At least with the big guys you can brace yourself!

daniel

Joined: 01 Jan 2005
Posts: 21
Location: Woodford Green, Essex

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 05 5:20 pm Post subject:
Sarah, what is a permaculture mulch bed? Cheers, daniel

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45709
Location: Essex

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 05 5:22 pm Post subject:
Dunno, but this is a brief description of permaculture (and agroforestry) https://www.downsizer.net/index.php?option=com_glossary&catid=97&func=display&search=permaculture

Sarah D

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 2584

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 05 5:40 pm Post subject:
Will put up a separate post about the permaculture mulch bed so it doesn't get lost - it's really useful.

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