The taming of plot 41

In August 2005 we decided to take on another allotment plot to add to the four that we already garden. At this time about half of the plots on our site were overgrown and unloved so we were not taking a plot that someone else wanted.

 

This was quite a good time to take on a new plot. The onset of autumn and winter meant that the weeds would be dying down and the odds would be stacked more in our favour. Maybe the phrase ‘clearing weeds’ conjures up the wrong impression. The weeds as can be seen from the photographs in the slide show were really a thicket of bramble, dock, thistles, bindweed and anything else that had managed to get a foothold. The plot had been derelict for some time and like many other plots on our site so these ‘plants’ were very well established and were not going to give up their territory without putting up a fight.

 

The first task was to clear everything to ground level using a heavy-duty strimmer and a spade. This had to be carried out with care, as hiding in the undergrowth was over ten years worth of accumulated rubbish and debris. We uncovered, pathways of iron grating, an incredible number of television aerials, (where did they come from?), a supermarket trolley, (the pre £1 slot variety), a couple of dustbins, bricks and piles of wood in various states of decay. The remains of a hut, that had in the past housed budgies, caused us problems as the scattered sheets of broken glass and insulating material were very difficult to gather – the reclaimed dustbins came in handy here. We also found to our cost that the previous tenants had believed in covering the ground with old carpet.  The partially rotted carpet and undergrowth had formed an alliance that proved hard to break up.

Once the ground was cleared we had to resort to using weed killer to try and knock back the roots of bramble and other pernicious weeds. The weed killer chosen was the type that becomes inert on touching the ground and therefore the soil would be safe for planting in the coming season.

 

The terrain was very uneven which added to our difficulties. Areas of soil were dug and rotivated to be left for the winter weather to play its part in helping us to break down the lumps of soil.

 

 With aspirations of a mini Villandry(an ornamental kitchen garden in the Loire Valley), we decided to have a go at a simplified ornamental style kitchen garden on this plot. OK - if you have clicked on the link and viewed the real Villandry it would be very much simplified but a person needs to have ambition!

 

We pondered over patterns for the beds and came up with a simple design with as few paths as practical. We wanted some large beds so that we could incorporate height into the plan. As we had only really cleared two thirds of the plot by the time the new season was creeping upon us, we decided to set out the paths and rotavate the soil in the cleared part and content ourselves by just keeping the remaining third under control. This we did for the rest of the growing season by limited use of weedkiller and strimming. We didn’t feel too badly about not completing the renovation in just one season as we did have four other plots to plant and tend.

 

The newly set out beds were planted and proved to be exceptionally fertile. Crops planted on the new plot seemed to grow bigger and better than anywhere on our older plots. We put this down to the fact that the soil hadn’t been cultivated for several years whereas some of our other plots had been serving us well for over 20 years. Maybe we need to consider how we can increase the fertility in some areas of our longer established plots.

 

The growing season had once again come to an end so we had the time to clear the remaining third. We decided to use the end of the plots as a composting area. Once the weather allows the soil to dry a little we will be able to set out paths and beds on the remaining newly cleared third and we will be ready for planting up again – maybe with a little more of a plan in mind this year.

 

The plot next to us was also rented last year which was real bonus as this meant that we wouldn’t have to battle against weed seeds blowing across from next door. The couple taking this plot had it cleared in about a fortnight and beds set out and planted shortly after. It looked fantastic but in our defence we did have our other four plots to tend and also only weekends in which to knock our plot into shape so we don’t really feel too bad. Taking on an overgrown plot is hard work but it is satisfying toil and worth it once you are reaping the rewards of all that hard labour!

 

 

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