Allotment life & Sustainable Living

Thursday, 17 March 2022

Tackling the First Bed | Overgrown Allotment

As you know, I have just taken on my first allotment plot and it is rather overgrown. For my first day at the plot, I headed down with good intentions and a can-do attitude to clear the two raised beds that were already on the plot. I figured they would be the most sensible place to start so I can start growing in them whilst I tackle the rest. I have actually vlogged this day on the allotment so if you prefer your content in video format, you can watch that on YouTube if you would like.

First things first, I'm the realest. Second things second, I had to get as much junk off of that first bed as I could. I pulled off seven planks of wood and felt like I'd won the allotment lottery. They were a bit damp from being exposed to the British elements, so I propped them up against the shed in the sun to dry out (and then put them in the shed when I left because ain't nobody stealing my planks).

I then pulled up as many of the dead plants in there as I could. There weren't many as the majority of growth on my plot is just grass with only the occasional weed but clearing these already dead bits first and seeing what else I had to deal with was the best way to go. Upon clearing these I soon found a whole treasure trove of junk hiding in the bed including two ten foot metal poles, the end of a broom, twelve metal posts in varying sizes, some guttering and a whole lot more. I am now picturing a "things I found in my allotment bed that just make sense" reel coming up. The majority of this stuff I can repurpose for new allotment structures and the rest I shall dispose of appropriately.

Next came a lot of digging up grass, and pulling out as many roots as possible. Now, I will say I did not do the most thorough job because I genuinely think I would have had to spend a solid 168 hours of a week doing that to get everything out. I did as much as I could, and as soon as I cleared a section, I would look back at the section I had previously done and notice a whole lot more I had missed. To try and limit anything re-growing in the bed until my next visit, I then put as much cardboard I could find over the bed to block some light... Unfortunately, I had only brought one cardboard box with me and my shed only had a few very small empty boxes for me to scavenge. So, I made do and found some big plastic sheeting on my plot. It was absolutely covered in spiders. blegh. But, despite the trauma, it should just about do the job!

I won't be back at my plot again now for over a week as I am going back up North for a family thing. When I do go back, I will hopefully be able to tackle the bulk of my plot with a petrol strimmer and enlist my parents to help me clear some beds.

If you'd like to keep up with my antics whilst I'm away from the plot, be sure to follow me on instagram @allies.garden and if you fancy seeing me struggle clearing this bed, head over to my YouTube channel.


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