Clearing an overgrown allotment - organically

[Pinkiebrown]

Whats the easiest way to clear an overgrown allotment without using chemicals?  Its mostly overgrown with weeds grass and nettles.

[Joe Public]

Hard graft!

[andyjevs]

I'll second that...it's the only way.....constant hoeing and cutting back, the weeds will soon give up but it might take a couple of years for the really stubborn weeds to go. I'm as environmentally friendly as i can be but i'll still use any glyphosate based weedkillers such as round up to zap the perennial weeds.

[Pinkiebrown]

Joe Public - Thanks, that's what I feared!  There is only one thing for it then, wellies on and fork in hand, off I go!!!!!

[WendyS]

If you've got any good and loyal friends who don't mind a bit of gardening, maybe you can organise a collective gardening afternoon and invite them back for a hot shower . a beer and a large pizza.  Have had two allotments in my time and can agree with the other respondents.  It's hard work to begin with.   If you work slowly, by the time you've cleared the first few yards, the weeds are coming back in the first row you dug!   A large expanse of black plastic to cover it, weighted down with bricks might help you keep it clear until you're ready to plant.  But it's a rewarding occupation and you will have the space to experiment with lots of exciting varieties you don't have a chance to buy in the shops.  Good luck.  Hope you get a lot of pleasure from you new hobby.

[UsAndStuff]

It all depends on the people in charge of the allotments.
One easy(ish) way is to devide the plot up and work say a quarter at a time.
The rest should be covered in preferably weed-block fabric, but you could use black polythene or even carpet.
Be warned though, some allotment authorities see this as unworked land, and can get funny about it.

Doing it this way makes it seem a little less of a mountain to climb.

[Solarjunkie]

Carpet it! Most carpet fitters skip old carpet and are very happy to give it to you.

Lay it as soon as you can, furry side down.

Go back in the spring, roll it up and take it to the tip, then lightly dig the lovely bare soil that you have exposed, with all the old greenery composted into it.

Things like docks may still be grimly hanging on, but of course they are much easier to dig out when not surrounded by grass etc.

If you need to be growing something, chuck a few potatoes around the edge, over the ground and under the carpet. Then you'll have new potatoes for Christmas dinner.

I've done all this, btw, carpet, potatoes & all, so I know it works. Good luck.

[DiggyBob]

I am tackling this with some very good special tools, you can see how I am doing as I go here: http://diggybob.blogspot.com

[DiggyBob]

I am doing this right now and I am keeping a phgot record of how I go using special tools: http://diggybob.blogspot.com feel free to take a look and comment etc.