On 14/04/2012 17:37, David WE Roberts wrote:
Just back from the allotment, where I spent about 3 hours digging a
strip to clear out the weeds and couch grass.
I am now totally knackered.
Two more widths like that cleared and we will have nearly half our 5 rod
plot cleared and either ready for planting or already planted with
raspberries and other soft fruit which were already there.

The old regulars (not often these days someone greets you with "Hello,
young man") keep telling us that we are doing well and we will soon be
fed up because we have run out of things to do.

Yeah, right.

Anyway, I am clearing a strip, letting it settle, then clearing the
strip next to it, then planting the first strip.
And so on.

Put in a row of boltardy beetroot and a row of greyhound cabbage today.
Found some celery in the jungle, and moved it to a clear spot. Some of
it looked self seeded.

God alone knows how some of the old boys maintained 30 rod plots and
more when allotments weren't popular.
I reckon we can get a 5 rod plot under control and sorted over a 2 year
period - clear it year 1 and go back over and eradicate the persistent
weeds year 2.
After that it will hopefully be plain sailing as the soil is good and
has been well worked in the past.

Mind you, plot next door has already been dug over and is sitting there
waiting for stuff to emerge.
Bloke has even taken to helping us clear docks from our plot - I suspect
there are two motives the
(1) He likes to dig and all his plot is dug so he's bored.
(2) Nobody wants docks flowering and setting seed next door.

Cheers

Dave R



Well done, Dave. Sounds like you got a lot done.

I may not have done quite as much physical work, but I spent most of the
day in the garden, then came in with an aching back .. took the washing
out of the machine .. then made a steak and kidney pie. Now I'm
knackered! ;~)

--
Spider
from high ground in SE London
gardening on clay