I started on a new small allotment this year. The soil is heavy clay, compacted by vehicles building houses next to it and full of building rubbish.
There are ten of us and most are diggers. The site is now waterlogged after the snow and rain of the last weeks. The grass (weed) paths between plots are wet mud or standing water.
I followed a no dig approach and included a couple of small hugel mounds and a straw bale area. I also did a ‘lasagne’ bed (not so successful!) I covered weeds with cardboard and put compost on top and planted into it.
Had a lovely year, except for the rats eating all my sweetcorn just before I was about to pick it.
The best is now, however. None of the beds are waterlogged, the pathways are chippings and though soft have no standing water and I am still harvesting – kale, PSB, chard, spinach, pea sprouts, lettuces, romanesco caulis, Kallettes, spring onions, spinach beet, none under cover. I had a poly tunnel, but it ripped in the last storm, our site has wonderful views but is very open.
Many thanks Charles for all your inspiration. One other plot holder has gone to no dig now.