I agree I would weed and plant. Never heard about newspaper stopping
perrenial weds by the way. As you're a lot cooler than in the City I should
think you have an ideal time to sow sweetcorn indoors ready to go out later
this month

From the English Riviera
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Answers on a postcard to
http://www.cornishlight.freeserve.co.uk/rame.htm


Sue & Bob Hobden wrote:
: Misty wrote in message
:: Hi folks, I've enjoyed reading your posts for awhile, while I've
:: been on the waiting list for an allotment here in Devon. I've only
:: just been able to get one, and to my dismay, not a thing has been
:: done to it since the end of last summer. I've got a lot of work
:: ahead of me. (apologies in advance for the long post btw, but I want
:: to make sure I get off on the right foot)
:
: Sounds an easy job, ours wasn't used for over 20 years when we took
: it over (except for parking cars on!!!)
:
::
:: My current aim is to get the existing beds in shape so I can plant
:: some vegetables asap. I haven't started any seeds, because I had no
:: idea when or if I'd get an allotment this year. I don't have any
:: experience gardening in the UK but judging by what the books and
:: seed packets have to say, it will be ok if I sow outdoors by the end
:: of May. I'm planting pretty standard stuff this year: carrots,
:: beets, peas, beans, courgettes, sweetcorn, lettuce, radishes, spring
:: onions and some herbs. Also some tomatoes and strawberries, but I'll
:: get plants for those. Am I being too ambitious, given that it's
:: already early May?
:
: No, should be OK.
::
:: My other question is with regards to bed preparation. The beds are
:: raised (although the boards have been taken down and need
:: re-affixing) and full of weeds, plus one of them is full of
:: Jerusalem artichokes which I don't want to keep (even though I hear
:: they're expensive, and wonderful, and stuff). My current plan goes
:: something like this, based on different things I've read and my
:: (admittedly sketchy) understanding of British growing conditions.
::
:: 1. Remove weeds (and Jerusalem artichokes)
:
: It's only a year since it was used so will be mostly annual weeds so
: should be easy but I'm not so sure the "fartychokes" will be.
:
:: 2. Remove raised soil onto tarpaulin
:: 3. Install newspaper 4-5 inches below top soil level, leaving spaces
:: for root crop rows (apparently this will help stop any perennial
:: weeds coming back)
:
: Shouldn't be many perennial weeds if it's only been left fallow for a
: year and you can just hoe them off anyway and if you keep doing that
: they eventually die out. (except for Mares Tails that is) :-(
:
:: 4. Replace soil
:: 5. Fertilise and cover with black plastic
:: 6. Leave for 2 weeks, remove any stubborn weeds, then sow seeds
:
: Why? Why not just weed, manure lightly, and plant.