"Alan McKenzie" wrote in message
...
Hi group,

although been growing veggies in my back garden for some time have just
aquired an allotment or part of an allotment 126 sq m. which I believe is
10
rods by 5 please correct me if I'm wrong.

Although it is not a total nightmare the ground appears to have been
turned
over at some stage and then left with the resulting high grass of about 4
inches.
I want to get it ready for planting spring of next year.
Whilst I want it to be as perfect as possible for planting, well turned
over, no weeds no grass, fine soil etc I want to try and be as energy
efficient as possible - I have a lot on in the next 6 months and although
desperate for an allotment want to get it ready in as little time as
possible. Didn't want to give this opportunity up as it is literally dead
mans shoes or the people already established hear one is being given up
and
then ring the council and ask to take it over with some people having 3 or
4
allotments - very greedy me thinks!
Anyway back to the chase - any tips on getting the ground ready for spring
next year as efficiently as possible - without getting someone else in to
prepare it after all the joy of home grown veg is the preparation and love
that is put into the soil.
Please be gentle - I have just signed the agreement to post tomorrow and
intend spending tomorrow and friday of this week up on site.

thanks in advance

Alan

Sodium Chlorate.
Total vegetation killer - cannot grow anything for six months.

Water it in.

Leave it for a week or two for the vegetation to die down.

Rough dig (Rotorvate once)

Leave for winter frosts.

Dig again in early spring to produce a fine tilth/Rotorvate gently.

Or the organic route:

Buy some black plastic sheeting, cover the entire plot. Or use hessian
backed carpet.

Uncover a small square,
Dig well, removing weeds and roots by hand.
Plant something in the space you just cleared.
Repeat until entire plot is under cultivation

Doing one or two square metres/yards each visit should only take about an
hour and a half to two hours.
But remember to plant each square immediately you have cleared it.
Winter cabbage, spring greens, hardy lettuce etc etc

Use some fleece material to keep the ground warm and you could be planting
now and harvesting at Christmas.

Depends how much time you can afford to spend over the next six months.

Dave