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Hi Charles
We are planning to set up a communal orchard on our allotment site, on a very overgrown, disused plot which we have been unable to let to new tenants, for a variety of reasons – including being very overlooked by neighbouring flats and no privacy. It is currently about knee high with mares tail (never seen it so luxuriant!), grass and has clumps of brambles. Having had a quick walk around it, there doesn’t seem to be much else in terms of weeds (thistle, dandelion, dock etc.) that would be difficult to eradicate.
I seem to remember that when you set up your fruit trees, that you mulched the ground with cardboard and compost, then covered with weed fabric and planted the saplings into slits in the fabric – is this right? Would that be the best approach for our situation?
Also, when getting rid of brambles, is it a case of cutting back, and then taking a spade to slice through the root a couple of inches below the soil level? I have a memory that this is what you have recommended in answers to previous questions.
Thanks for your helpConor
Yes Conor, chop bramble roots 4-6in below surface level, close to each clump of stems.
Small hoe to plant trees, then cardboard & compost which can be not perfect. If you want to use membrane it can be slipped over the top of maiden trees which are 4ft/1.2m sticks.
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