Clearing phase
I maintain there are some things in life you should do only once. I’d put clearing and regenerating a 10 rod allotment plot up at the top of the list. Yet, thanks to the Duke of Northumberland, I’m halfway through a second clearance and regeneration project.
I’ve taken a different approach to this second clearance for a number of reasons:
- I’m ten years older
- I’ve injured my right shoulder (too much digging!)
- I’ve 10 years of plotting experience
- I had a bit of money to throw at it
- A deadline to move perennial plants from the other plot
This post outlines the two approaches. I’m not advocating one way over any others, we all work in a way that suit us best but this is what I’ve learned so far…
I’m a great believer in chunking down, especially when the chunk happens to 10 rods of overgrown clay!
2006 – I cleared out a line of overgrown blackberries and walked the plot to see what could be salvaged; a whole row of raspberries and a bed of strawberries. Then I got myself some pink string (a contrast colour!) and a pile of bamboo sticks and marked out 8×4 beds up to the blackberry fence. I’d already decided the bit beyond could wait until the following year. Then I got digging and always standing so that I could see what had been dug rather than what was still left to do.
By focusing on one bed at a time, I had 12 beds ready to go by May but then began the battle with the Horsetail began…
2016 – The second plot was in a more advanced state of neglect, with around a third of the plot best described as a thick bramble patch. The rest was covered in knee high and thick couch grass. I had to find the ground before I could start digging.
I decided to start on the scary bramble patch; I picked a corner and systematically worked my way in using a combination of loppers, hedge shears and secateurs. I built up piles of clippings as I went. Reducing the brambles to piles of clippings and then to potash took two weekends. Along the way, I found an old incinerator and a wooden mini greenhouse.
The bramble roots needed to come out and some were HUGE. I felt quite daunted at the prospect so decided to focus on another part of the plot rather than become disheartened. I strimmed the grass but the Ryobi petrol strimmer wasn’t up to the job; I needed a brush-cutter. The local hire shop had a nice Stiehl that cut down everything; in fact it probably took longer to figure out how to adjust and wear the harness.
Once cleared to ground level, I realised the size of elephant before me. Not just 10 rods of clay but mounds and trenches not to mention the bramble roots. Once I started digging, I also unearthed bags and bags of twigs and roots. Time sit down with a cup of tea and figure out a plan.
Allotment Life 
An interesting post. Doing that is not something that I could envisage doing again, even a half-plot like mine, but I probably would but I’d certainly take it very steady indeed if I did.
I was lucky when I orginally took mine on as it was mostly only weeds that I had to deal with, and there was only one blackberry bush which I ended up keeping. xx
Taking it steady is indeed wise advice. I’m concentrating on one half to get all the trees and shrubs transplanted from plot 1 and the ground ready for the other arrivals such as raspberries and asparagus.
Fantastic work. I’ve spoken myself about taking ones time and breaking the whole down into manageable parts. You are absolutely right, clearing and digging a bit followed by some motivational planting of crops. I always have a plan of action everytime I attend our plot and by having that mindset and approach the allotment is developing very efficiently. Look forward to reading more updates 😊
Thanks Richard
My goodness, I admire your stickability tackling this not just once but twice! Poor you having taken on a plot in such poor condition.
I completely agree though that breaking it down into manageable chunks is the only way, as with most huge projects. Otherwise it just feels endlessly daunting.
Good luck with this new growing year, and all good wishes.
Thanks Deborah. I’m feeling happier now that I’ve begun planting and transplanting. Whenever I felt daunted, I’ve reminded myself that plot 2 is an opportunity to not make the same mistakes!
Looks like hard work. I am very lucky to have bought a house with a tidy garden even if it was mostly lawn when we bought it.
Yes, it is. 10 months and counting. At least now I can fit the to do list on one side of paper! BTW your garden is amazing.
Did you manage to get rid of the blackberries completely from your first plot? I am having my own battle with them after purposely planting a bush (which I subsequently decided against).
Anyway, I’m glad you were able to find another plot – and not being plotless on a waiting list!
Mostly – there was the occasional shoot but easy enough to pull up. Me too – nothing worse than being plotless on a list 🙂
Yes, the occasional shoot is much easier to manage 😊.