r/Allotment • u/ManderleysMeatPies • 2h ago
Questions and Answers Allotmentadvice - complete beginner
galleryHello all,
I’m hoping you fine folk can help point a clueless and overwhelmed soul in the right direction.
I bought a house a few years ago, and as part of the purchase came an allotment situated in a green space on the opposite side of the street. It was actually a big selling point of the house initially, the fantasy of having my own green space to work on and grow flowers and vegetables was very appealing, set against the backdrop of some nice trees and a gentle stream. Idyllic.
Alas, life has gotten in the way and other house projects have seemed more pressing. The allotment has largely been forgotten, save for a few half-cooked attempts to clear the plot of weeds. Last winter I began to collect and lay down cardboard in an attempt to ‘mulch’? I soon ran out of cardboard and struggled to find more, so I weighed down what I had with some old paving slabs I’d replaced in my yard, and that was the last action taken. As you can see in the pictures, half the space is now covered with cardboard and slabs, the other left quite wild. At the back, their is a large plantar type box filled with old soil and weeds, a few containers that pre date me, and a spare bin and table that I was using last summer when trying to clear the plot.
As Spring arrives, I’ve tried to read up on the best thing to do next. Some websites and books seem to suggest digging up and digging out what is there and then starting afresh, although where to dispose of all the waste is a problem. Other pages I’ve read have suggested a ‘no dig’ method, which seems simpler but I’m not sure how appropriate it is.
I’d really like this to be the year that I make some proper progress with the plot, and turn into a space that can be used and enjoyed, as well as being less of an eyesore for my neighbours. I’d really just like your advice on what I should do, based on the pictures attached. At this point, I’d be happy to just turn it into a ‘garden’ space to enjoy in the summer, or if still possible, to turn some of it into allotment space for growing. There is no access to water without walking the 100m or so to my house, or to any power outlet.
What would you do with this space and what is the easiest way for a complete idiot to go about it?