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Hi, we took on a large very overgrown allotment end of last year. It is covered in couch grass, brambles, docks & Dandelion’s. We have removed the docks & brambles & have double dug two beds 8×1.5m beds. 2 other beds (same size beds) have been covered with a combination of weed matting & carpet since September/October but we have walked on this area. The rest of the allotment is covered in couch grass which we’ve strimmer down to ground level.
We can get hold of a lot of newspapers & some cardboard & have a unlimited supply of cow manure/hay that is about 6 months old & maturing in a field in a large pile. The farmer is also happy to give us unlimited amount of hay bales that are starting to rot.
We really want to turn the rest of our allotment (particularly to start with the 2 beds that have been covered ) into no-dig beds. What’s the best way to start. Taking into account the manure is not really well rotted & is mixed with hay but this is all we can get hold of. I have some potatoes still to go in that I want to put in one of the beds that has been covered & needs to remain covered for a while yet. What’s the best way to put these in? I want to get as much of the allotment into production within the next couple of months. How can I create the no-dig beds with the manure & hay I have in a way I can plant into it?
Any help would be much appreciated, I kind of feel overwhelmed by the amount of work to do right now & desperately want to get vege growing as quick as possible but don’t know the best way to start.
Also apparently no-one on the allotment site can get carrots or parsnips to grow but we eat lots of carrots so really want to grow a fair few. Perhaps these might grow better in a no-dig bed but can I sow them this year or not?
Two beds of 1.5x8m can grow you a lot of food and you can sow carrot, parsnip there, asap. Concentrate on doing them well, this year.
Your mulched/carpeted area could grow leeks, cucurbits, perhaps large brassicas such as Brussels sprouts – planted through the mulch.
For the rest, leave it covered all year. You can’t cure a massive amount of perennial weeds in weeks, unless you want to be at them with a trowel for many hours, much easier to leave them in the dark until winter.
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