Hello Phil
Just a few more wrinkles that might help you. As you realise, whatever way you clear your plot you are going to have a weed problem - quite serious in your first year but getting a lot easier hopefully in subsequent years.
Start off as much as you can in pots or modules so that when you plant out you've got a head start on the weeds. The weeds will then be much easier to control as your crop gets established.
Also keep ahead of your sowing/planting plans by preparing a bed properly about two weeks before you need it. This will encourage the first flush of dormant weeds to germinate and these can then be easily hoed off - don't dig - but plant out or sow directly into the freshly hoed bed with the minimum of soil disturbance.
John
startin new allotment
Moderators: KG Steve, Chantal, Tigger, peter
Ideally you should run the beds north south as this gives your veg the maximum amount of light preventing shading this is not so much a problem in the summer but in the low light levels of winter shading can cause you problems with poor growth and sickly plants that are shaded. On my lotty for example i run my beds east west but i must remember not to plant any other low growing winter veg in the bed imediately north of tall growers like kale,sprouts and purple sprouting brocolli.
North/south beds are best for beans because they thrive in the light conditions.
Plan of campaign
1. Why don't you create two raised beds now for onions in one and roots in the other. You could even put weed suppressing material underneath and pile compost etc on top.
2.Do potatoes lazy bed method , which is minimal work and afterwards gives you broken in ground.
3. cover the rest. Dig it as you can.
That way you'll achieve crops this summer and yet not break your back in the process.
Plan of campaign
1. Why don't you create two raised beds now for onions in one and roots in the other. You could even put weed suppressing material underneath and pile compost etc on top.
2.Do potatoes lazy bed method , which is minimal work and afterwards gives you broken in ground.
3. cover the rest. Dig it as you can.
That way you'll achieve crops this summer and yet not break your back in the process.
Hi Phil
My first piece of advice is to get a weedkiller on it. I try to be as organic as possible but, as Piglet says, give yourself a fighting chance.
My second is, what does it matter really which way the beds go. Surely they should go so that they are convenient to use by you and they family.
My third is, when it comes time to dig, mark out an area that can be done without your back giving out. Dig that, then come back the next day and dig the next area marked out.
My fourth is, start at the end that's convenient to you. Anything else can be covered up until you're ready.
My fifth is, using the bits that you've cleared plant anything you like. You can't really get into crop rotation until the plot is ready. Therefore, does it matter that much?
I've had my plot for 5 years now and i'm only just getting into this crop rotation stuff etc. Mine hadn't been worked for years and I've spent all this time battling bindweed and couch. It's also been some lack of planning on my part and not making my mind up because i've had an overload of info.
Good luck to you and enjoy yourself.
My first piece of advice is to get a weedkiller on it. I try to be as organic as possible but, as Piglet says, give yourself a fighting chance.
My second is, what does it matter really which way the beds go. Surely they should go so that they are convenient to use by you and they family.
My third is, when it comes time to dig, mark out an area that can be done without your back giving out. Dig that, then come back the next day and dig the next area marked out.
My fourth is, start at the end that's convenient to you. Anything else can be covered up until you're ready.
My fifth is, using the bits that you've cleared plant anything you like. You can't really get into crop rotation until the plot is ready. Therefore, does it matter that much?
I've had my plot for 5 years now and i'm only just getting into this crop rotation stuff etc. Mine hadn't been worked for years and I've spent all this time battling bindweed and couch. It's also been some lack of planning on my part and not making my mind up because i've had an overload of info.
Good luck to you and enjoy yourself.
Lots of love
Lizzie
Lizzie
Thankyou all for the advice, I have got the key this week and have had a good look at the plot, it is quite well spred with couch grass so I intend to cover half with cardboard and plant some potatoes through this and prepare the beds in the rest.
time is short. enjoy!