Page 33 - ALG Issue 1 2019

Problem Solving on the Plot
So, you've just acquired an allotment plot and you're confronted with a jungle of weeds and heavy clay soil. Or you just haven't been on top of things and the couch grass and bindweed have taken over. It's a daunting and demanding task, but along with some hard graft, there are methods to assist you.
Firstly, let’s look at the soil; if you have heavy clay then that's a good start. You can add materials, nutrients and matter to clay but you can't do it the other way around. The perfect growing soil is called loam, which is a mixture of sand, silt and clay. Clay is already nutrient rich and retains moisture; the downside though is digging and weeding are tough. Root veg like carrots struggle and tend to fork, the drainage is poor which
will lead to rotting, and it cracks with a prolonged hot spell of weather.
The ideal time, in my opinion, to acquire a
plot would be autumn; you have the chance to
get it roughly dug and let the winter frost break
it down. You also have a chance to sow winter green manure. I'm a big fan of green manure. I
use Phacelia and Buckwheat in spring and Mustard in autumn. These not only add nutrients to the soil (humus - not the dip!), they also break down the soil, suppress weeds and bees love them!
Sand and well-rotted horse manure are
other essential additives; there are plenty
of stables and paddocks that will gladly
allow you to help yourself. Preloved and
Gumtree are good sources for this. If
you don't have means to do this then
start making your own compost.
No dig
The idea of ‘no dig' is that you can plant and grow anywhere with minimal effort. I would recommend raised beds for this; place cardboard on top of the weeds/soil then fill the bed with good quality compost.
Here are a few other tips: Create an area for composting; pallets are good for this. Remember you need to move the compost around to activate it. If you dig out clumps of couch grass and place them grass to grass, they will eventually break down and become useable soil, especially mixed with compost (the same with turf).
Plant potatoes for breaking up the soil, and beans/peas for adding nitrogen, but mainly grow what you like the taste of. Butternut squash is good value for money, sweetcorn is amazing
when you eat it within a few hours of picking. Think about storage as well; courgettes and beans need to be picked regularly!
So hopefully these few tips will help you. Be positive, roll up your sleeves, and enjoy.
Happy plotting and remember: Life's a garden, Dig it!
David Graney
David Graney has had a plot at Eaton Avenue allotments, Bletchley, Bucks for the last 3 years.
He grows for the fresh organic taste you get from allotment crops and like every gardener loves eating something you have sown and nurtured. He is a police
officer working in London so gardening is a great way for him to unwind.
Bayer • Scott’s Miracle Gro • Mr Fothergill’s • Clover • Humax • Gro-Well • Maxicrop • JBA Seed Potatoes • H Smith Plastics
The Home of Quality Gardening Products at a Cost Effective Price
A family business with over 30 years experience of supplying a full range of:
Crop Protection • Lawncare • Growing Media Pest & Disease Control • Seeds • Garden Sundries Weed Control • Fertilisers • Pots & Containers
To place an order or make an enquiry:
www.gro-welldirect.co.uk
Tel: 01773 742847
Shop: Cherry Tree Cottage Farm,
210 Peasehill Road, Ripley, Derby DE5 3JQ
Gro-Well is the trading name of Codnor Horticultural (Wholesale) Supplies Ltd • Email: info@gro-welldirect.co.uk
33
Vital Earth • Everris • Thomas Elliott • Moles Seeds • Gardman • Groworganic • Vitax
6X • Everris • Thomas Elliott • Moles Seeds • Gardman • Greenkey • Vitax • Gro-Well