There are three main ways to tackle persistent weeds and get the ground ready for sowing and planting — and you can combine them. Each has its trade-offs. If you’re planning permanent raised beds and paths, you really do need to eradicate the pernicious weeds from the start, across the whole area. Hand dig The…
Perennial weeds include, in rough order of frequency: The worst offenders Couch grass and bindweed are the worst offenders — persistent, capable of travelling long distances underground, and able to regenerate from a small piece of root. They can run under paths and sheds, so dig them out completely. If left, they’ll compete with your…
Annual weeds have shallow roots, so lightly forking over the ground loosens them and they can be composted. If you take over in summer there’s likely to be a lot to clear — cut off any obvious seed heads and bag them until you can dispose of them. Compost material is best in a bin,…
At Hatherop Road we ask plotholders to adopt a few basic principles that benefit the whole site: Be as organic as possible Chemicals such as pesticides are discouraged — they’re not good for your health, others’ health, the soil, the veg you’ll eat, or the site’s wildlife. If you do use pesticide, please comply with…
Get to know your neighbours — you’ll share water taps and responsibility for access paths. Everyone has a different approach to gardening, and there’s a wealth of knowledge, advice and help to tap into. A number of plotholders are happy to mentor newcomers; if you’d like a mentor, ask a committee member (names and plot…
The usual advice is to plant potatoes for the benefit of the soil and its clearance — you’ll dig three times: to clear the weeds, to plant the sets, and to harvest. They’re an easy, low-attention crop, leaving you time for others over summer. A five-metre row gives about 15–20 kg. Sets are readily available, even…
Rubbish clearance If you take over in winter there’s likely to be dead vegetation, odd bits of wood and material to prune from fruit canes. Do any pruning that’s needed — we can advise on pruning fruit canes, bushes and trees, and prunings can be made into dry hedges, which is good for wildlife. Other…
You don’t need lots of equipment to start. A fork, tough gardening gloves and a good pair of secateurs will do on day one, plus a tub or bucket to move loose material and weeds. Later on you can add a hoe, rake, watering can and hand trowel/fork as the planting season arrives. You may…
Plots often carry perennial plants left by previous plotholders: You may also inherit: If you inherit items you don’t want, offer them to other plotholders via the hut noticeboard, Facebook, or a note in the newsletter.
Available for £1 per wheelbarrow load. It’s best mixed with green waste in a compost heap to help it break down. It can also be spread over vacant ground as a mulch during winter to suppress weeds before being dug in come spring. You can pay via SumUp with a committee member or bank transfer…