Very helpful, just took on an allotment after a 3 year wait. First visit 4 hours done before rain. I am just on with clearing it as it’s a double plot and never been touched for 3 years
Thank you. keep me posted on your progress. love reading fellow allotmenteers comments. any questions just ask. Yes, you're now an Allotmenteer. like a musketeer just with a garden folk, which is way cooler!
I am so pleased I clicked on and subbed + liked your video because. The very best tip I have heard is the bit by bit weeding. brilliant idea!!!!!!!!!!!! I have at last been, Allocated my first Allotment today. thank you.
Thank you. Hope it helps, but dont worry you have 35y+ life experience on me, to draw from. That will stand you in good stead. As the saying goes, "if theres any doubt, there is no doubt!"
Allotment newbies here. Taking care to not go crazy at first but sooo looking forward to getting to know our plot. Thanks - great information from yourself!
Thankyou for this video and advice, i have just put my name down for an allotment in my area. I have saved your video because it may be years till i get one as the waiting list is really long, but you never know!
Good luck. I don't know your circumstances but if you have a small garden, start growing things like potatoes in pots and salad leaves I'm trays. You'll be surprised at just how much you can grow, even on a balcony. 👍
You're very welcome. I've just started a channel of "how too" styled vids. Keep them all together. You may fond it handy? youtube.com/@gyolgardening497
I love digging! I get to know the soil. Everyone has rotovated their new plots but I am sticking with digging and I am covering it once it's done until I can get back to it
@@GrowYourOwnLife It went thanks. As I dialyse at home I have an ample amount of cardboard from the stock monthly deliveries. Also easy to make use of 'reject' water to water plants in summer:) So if you need cardboard, find a handy dialysis patient:) Love your NHS! www.greendialysis.org/home-dialysis-patients/water Tip for viewers, compost isn't always needed. The local Leegomery community garden was cleared, covered with a green manure/cover crop of Phacelia. Then covered with cardboard and woodchip. Planting through later in the season into the ground directly produced some amazing tomatoes, beans etc. The debate on woodchip goes on but the proof of crops was one that as long as you have a mulch its easy to weed and less to water! I'd say if your starting an allotment/veg garden, look into composting and water while perhaps your not growing. I used to have a plot. Now my plot is mostly in the garden! If you have access to Netflix I can really recommend Kiss the Ground. ruclips.net/video/K3-V1j-zMZw/видео.html No Dig/No Till keeps carbon in the soil where it belongs and can actually 'fix' more carbon than just planting lots of trees! So we're doing the right thing!
Love that you talked about time management. Just bought close to an acre in California and it's been CRAZY clearing the weeds. Absolutely there's a lot of time involved and absolutely the job is still there the next day, lol
I’m a very newbie and very glad to have found your channel. I’ve subbed and will be going through all of your videos. At the moment I’m quite excited 🏝
Omg! I was just about to book a cultivator!! Thank god I watched the video! Also now I know why I have so many stinging nettles in my bed at home!!! Damn horse manure!!
It's OK if you compost it really well. But I don't think horse manure is the best. But saying that if I had access to a lit of it free, I'd definitely use it. But I'd compost it again or only use the middle of the heap that's well rotted. The middle should be very hot and will have killed alot of weeds.
@@GrowYourOwnLife unfortunately, i wont be able to get down to the really hot well rotten stuff as the dung heap is kept in the yard n there's not enough space to make a mess even temporarily. I did discover a place where i can get 4 bags 50L organic general purpose compost for a tenner, so ill prob go with that
Ahhh, this was so helpful, thank you. I’m being shown an allotment site tomorrow & it will be my first… If I get it that is! I’m now just preparing myself as best I can so I have a plan. I pretty much followed Charles Dowdings principles on my current 5m x 3m garden space with great results, so I’m fairly certain I’ll go down that road, but it was really interesting hearing the comparison! Wish me luck 🍀
Great video and great advice. I've just taken on my first allotment 😁 and planning to do no dig, but my ground has big mounds and dips in it. Any ideas on how to level it before I start laying cardboards for beds? Tom
Hi, yes a few. Many I've done. My allotment was much the same, I managed to get a few ton of bark mulch from a tree surgeon (they give it free normally). So I covered my plot with cardboard. Then bark mulch and started from there. But you could use any thing you can find straw, compost, munches, horse manure. Dosent ha e to be fancy.
I d check it out for rubbish first old wood slabs broken glass ext really check the whole plot out and then hire a petroll rotavator it save s a lot of work just level it out and then start to put down cardboard I know it will have been dug first but it should be the only time you need do it from there on
Hello Thomas, I took my plot on in the May. Same as you I had mounds and dips everywhere. I simply as said covered the hole plot with black plastic and slowly cleared it bit by bit.( put your rubbish to the front of your plot, hopefully you will have a understanding committee like i have but apparently some do get funny about rubbished not being moved). I then made my raised bed where I wanted it, levelling of the ground for the paths, replace black plastic or put weed surpressant down and cover with wood chippings.( if the dip was to deep i tried to get a slap / half slap to bridge it ) Don't rush, little and often is the way to go. I'v only just got half way but I'm ready to grow something and half the plot is still covered but no weeds! Hope this helps. All the best. Robbo.
What do you say to the advice that you shouldn't fill the bed with pure compost on top of the cardboard and should instead use a mixture of compost and top soil (some also say to add sharp sand)?
To be honest, I use whatever I can get my hands on. I've used layers of bark mulch, manure, chicken bedding, topped with a thin layer of compost & it's all worked on various levels. But you can also tailor it to suit you. For example my strawberry beds have added bark mulch & twigs as strawberries are a woodland plant. My carrot beds have some sand added. As long as there's goodness carbon & nitrogen you'll do alright. 👍
Very helpful, just took on an allotment after a 3 year wait. First visit 4 hours done before rain. I am just on with clearing it as it’s a double plot and never been touched for 3 years
@@1980ferrari enjoy. Little & often. 👍
From my short experience I can say what's been said on this video is 💯 % on the money
Thank you. That's very nice to say.
Just managed to get an allotment enjoyed the video very informative thank you.
Thank you. keep me posted on your progress. love reading fellow allotmenteers comments. any questions just ask.
Yes, you're now an Allotmenteer. like a musketeer just with a garden folk, which is way cooler!
Clear and cover is alway the best advice lol
Very interesting and informative! Thank you. Glad I’m not the only person up this early on a Sunday! 😄
Lol. 🤣
I am so pleased I clicked on and subbed + liked your video because. The very best tip I have heard is the bit by bit weeding. brilliant idea!!!!!!!!!!!! I have at last been, Allocated my first Allotment today. thank you.
That's awesome. im over 6 years in now and still not finished. just enjoy it. ruclips.net/video/XtKcCo2kkhU/видео.html
Just starting out as a (nearly) 70 Yr old. Following your developments with interest! Thank you.
Thank you. Hope it helps, but dont worry you have 35y+ life experience on me, to draw from. That will stand you in good stead. As the saying goes, "if theres any doubt, there is no doubt!"
I used to dig my allotment when I first got it, now I try to dig as little as possible!.... much easier!
Very wise advice ! Thankyou. I have a raised bed in our front garden and it meets our need . Enough for us!!
Allotment newbies here. Taking care to not go crazy at first but sooo looking forward to getting to know our plot. Thanks - great information from yourself!
You're welcome. It's a journey and who doesn't like a good journey 🤘
Thankyou for this video and advice, i have just put my name down for an allotment in my area. I have saved your video because it may be years till i get one as the waiting list is really long, but you never know!
Good luck. I don't know your circumstances but if you have a small garden, start growing things like potatoes in pots and salad leaves I'm trays. You'll be surprised at just how much you can grow, even on a balcony. 👍
Thanks for your tips!
You're very welcome
Great advice!
Thank you 😊
Great video thanks... I am a newbie and going to do no dig too.... sounds fab.
You're very welcome. I've just started a channel of "how too" styled vids. Keep them all together. You may fond it handy?
youtube.com/@gyolgardening497
I love digging! I get to know the soil. Everyone has rotovated their new plots but I am sticking with digging and I am covering it once it's done until I can get back to it
Personally I do no dig and find it much better. But if you like digging then crack on 👍
Always love your videos. If we were nearer we'd definitely have a pint or two together and talk a lot about gardening.
Yes definitely, beer and garden chat is always good 👍🍻
Will add longer comment when I’ve got both hands free
Currently doing my first dialysis session of the week,
Keep up the great work Ross
Thank you. Good luck with the dialysis, hope it all goes well. 👍
@@GrowYourOwnLife
It went thanks. As I dialyse at home I have an ample amount of cardboard from the stock monthly deliveries.
Also easy to make use of 'reject' water to water plants in summer:)
So if you need cardboard, find a handy dialysis patient:) Love your NHS!
www.greendialysis.org/home-dialysis-patients/water
Tip for viewers, compost isn't always needed. The local Leegomery community garden was cleared, covered with a green manure/cover crop of Phacelia.
Then covered with cardboard and woodchip. Planting through later in the season into the ground directly produced some amazing tomatoes, beans etc.
The debate on woodchip goes on but the proof of crops was one that as long as you have a mulch its easy to weed and less to water!
I'd say if your starting an allotment/veg garden, look into composting and water while perhaps your not growing. I used to have a plot. Now my plot is mostly in the garden!
If you have access to Netflix I can really recommend Kiss the Ground.
ruclips.net/video/K3-V1j-zMZw/видео.html
No Dig/No Till keeps carbon in the soil where it belongs and can actually 'fix' more carbon than just planting lots of trees!
So we're doing the right thing!
Love that you talked about time management. Just bought close to an acre in California and it's been CRAZY clearing the weeds. Absolutely there's a lot of time involved and absolutely the job is still there the next day, lol
Good man👍
I’m a very newbie and very glad to have found your channel. I’ve subbed and will be going through all of your videos. At the moment I’m quite excited 🏝
Awesome. Thank you. 😁👍
Omg! I was just about to book a cultivator!! Thank god I watched the video! Also now I know why I have so many stinging nettles in my bed at home!!! Damn horse manure!!
Glad you've seen the light. Horse poo soaked in water makes a good liquid feed. So if you have an endless supply don't panic. 👍
I have chickens!!!
good one
Great show, reminds me of Malcolm Kingswell; Allotments for fun and food! Check out his production techniques very good!
Thank you. I'll definitely check that out. 👍
Lol, "you think you're a farmer." I just bought a tiller and totally thought I was a farmer...🙃
Very helpful thanks, we just got an allotment today we are going up to see what state it’s in. It took 2 years to get it.
Good video thank you
New sub, on waiting list for allotment
im doing my research cos im contemplating taking on an allotment in 'virgin' field. Thankyou for warning me off using my mum's horses' dungheap XD
It's OK if you compost it really well. But I don't think horse manure is the best. But saying that if I had access to a lit of it free, I'd definitely use it. But I'd compost it again or only use the middle of the heap that's well rotted. The middle should be very hot and will have killed alot of weeds.
@@GrowYourOwnLife unfortunately, i wont be able to get down to the really hot well rotten stuff as the dung heap is kept in the yard n there's not enough space to make a mess even temporarily. I did discover a place where i can get 4 bags 50L organic general purpose compost for a tenner, so ill prob go with that
Hoping to get my first allotment soon eek so your advice is very welcome x
Great tips, thank you! What was the vegetable protection made of? Looked like a used football goal post ;))))
It is a used football goal. 😄👍
Waste not. Want not. As my old nan would say.
Subbed
Cheers, very much appreciated 👍
Ahhh, this was so helpful, thank you. I’m being shown an allotment site tomorrow & it will be my first… If I get it that is! I’m now just preparing myself as best I can so I have a plan. I pretty much followed Charles Dowdings principles on my current 5m x 3m garden space with great results, so I’m fairly certain I’ll go down that road, but it was really interesting hearing the comparison! Wish me luck 🍀
Good luck.
Great video and great advice. I've just taken on my first allotment 😁 and planning to do no dig, but my ground has big mounds and dips in it. Any ideas on how to level it before I start laying cardboards for beds? Tom
Hi, yes a few. Many I've done. My allotment was much the same, I managed to get a few ton of bark mulch from a tree surgeon (they give it free normally). So I covered my plot with cardboard. Then bark mulch and started from there.
But you could use any thing you can find straw, compost, munches, horse manure. Dosent ha e to be fancy.
I d check it out for rubbish first old wood slabs broken glass ext really check the whole plot out and then hire a petroll rotavator it save s a lot of work just level it out and then start to put down cardboard I know it will have been dug first but it should be the only time you need do it from there on
Hello Thomas, I took my plot on in the May. Same as you I had mounds and dips everywhere. I simply as said covered the hole plot with black plastic and slowly cleared it bit by bit.( put your rubbish to the front of your plot, hopefully you will have a understanding committee like i have but apparently some do get funny about rubbished not being moved). I then made my raised bed where I wanted it, levelling of the ground for the paths, replace black plastic or put weed surpressant down and cover with wood chippings.( if the dip was to deep i tried to get a slap / half slap to bridge it ) Don't rush, little and often is the way to go. I'v only just got half way but I'm ready to grow something and half the plot is still covered but no weeds! Hope this helps. All the best. Robbo.
👍👍👍
Thanks for that. Does bind weed effect no dig?
Nope, well it hasn't for me and there was lots. I've actually found no dig makes it easier to pull up things like bind weed
What do you say to the advice that you shouldn't fill the bed with pure compost on top of the cardboard and should instead use a mixture of compost and top soil (some also say to add sharp sand)?
To be honest, I use whatever I can get my hands on. I've used layers of bark mulch, manure, chicken bedding, topped with a thin layer of compost & it's all worked on various levels.
But you can also tailor it to suit you. For example my strawberry beds have added bark mulch & twigs as strawberries are a woodland plant. My carrot beds have some sand added. As long as there's goodness carbon & nitrogen you'll do alright. 👍
@@GrowYourOwnLife Thanks for the advice! I'm a complete beginner!
What if I till to level the ground, and then cover with plastic, would that also kill the weeds?
Why till at all?
Personally, I'd cardboard the lot with brown cardboard then mulch & get planting. 👍
I have just signed for a plot, very small only 62.5Sqm, but it is just fluffy grass. No weeds but not sure how to get rid of the grass cover.
Cardboard and no dig. If it was me. 👍
@@GrowYourOwnLife It is very very bumpy and uneven :( like covered in little tufts
Just signed for our first half plot yesterday but it is covered in grass 🥴
No dig. 👍
Is there an order to these videos?
There in date order I believe
Anyone tell me the age you need to be to get a allotment?
I presume 16? But I don't know. Ask your local council. 👍
@@GrowYourOwnLife okay thanks