I apologise if the camera is shaky through parts of this video. The ground was very difficult to walk on with a camera in hand with all the bricks/weeds/rubble in the way.
Good luck. Strim it down as low as possible. Dig out tree saplings and brambles. I wouldn't bother with weed suppressing membrane, just causes problems down the line. You can use it to cover specific areas oner the winter but lay your cardboard directly onto the ground and compost on top then remove perennial weeds as they grow through. Check your lease about tree management. We are restricted to fruit or nut bearing trees to 1.5 m. Tackle it in sections so you don't get down hearted.
Those are some great tips thank you! 😊 One of those trees was huge! Probably 15-20ft tall. Chopped it down. We've covered the plot in membrane, with plans to wood chip paths so the membrane isn't being constantly walked on. Time will tell if that works or not. Thanks for watching and commenting 😊
a lot work but i feel at the end with both plots side by side will be well worth it. id say think of positive after its done things be so much better as you both together
I love a new project. Your plans sound great. I wouldn't use weed suppressant membrane under the raised beds though. It's not great. I have followed no dig for the last 5 years and had a lot of success. I just put cardboard down on top of the weeds after I had chopped them all down and the cardboard and compost on top kept them at bay. I know it sounds like it wouldn't work but it really does
Do you find the membrane break down quickly? I've used membrane on my plot but the heavy duty stuff that lasts many years. So far got 5 years out of it
Loadsa´ hard work, but that is why we enjoy it so much. As for all the weeds, I don´t see it, All I see is boat loads on next year compost........ Enjoy !!
So terribly sad how people treat the ground we grow in 😢, but I know you will tackle it as you do and get it in shape in no time. I like everyone else am really looking forward to seeing your progress. Check big box stores and bathroom suppliers for large cardboard, most pay to have it hauled away and love giving it away. Have a super weekend, Ali 🥵🌞🇨🇦
After 32 years no dig in New Zealand, can you get hold of a trailer find a farm with old silage, hay, straw, any animal manure and use that as your main material, using cardboard old tree branches or any any non treated timber for your base, then straw, then lawn clippings, then manure, finally compost, the idea is to make a in situation compost heap.
We get lots of horse manure delivered to our site. It's just ensuring it has no herbicide in it. We had a suspected dodgy batch this year which I thought had aminopyralid in. The rest seems to be ok
What came with this plot? The shed? What was inside of it? I like to see the good surprises too, not just the bad. Anytime you find bricks, that’s really good. I’m thinking you’ll need some hefty power tools & muscle to tackle the trees. Remember to save limbs/branches for vine structures. Now harvest those plums! And let us know what you baked with them
We ate those plums just fresh as they are. There were quite a lot of plum moth larvae though. The shed is mine on my existing plot. I've cut down 3 trees already, which has opened the space up nicely 😊
Arborist wood chips a very thick layer after you can cut that weed layer down near ground level and clean the brick and plastic off. You may have to wait to plant in it, but the soil should be full of life.
I took on my allotment this year I chose no dig the best way all I say is I used cardboard I wish I put it down thicker as it degrades quicker than I thought weeds just coming through but its manageable. All the best look forward to seeing your progress
My plan would be to strim all the weeds down, and then focus on ripping up and removing all the plastic. Then build some beds and start building the soil.
Hi Jim, I recently took on a plot that was in a similar state to yours... it has taken me 3 months to clear it all and still need to level it out as the previous owner made a pond and all the soil went into mounded flower beds which have now been overtaken by weeds like nettle, bramble etc.. so don't feel like your on your own... there are plenty folks on my site doing exactly the same as you on their plots. Just need to think of the end plan and how it will look ... Good luck as I am very interested in how your journey will go!!
if that was me i'd clear as much as i can, and cover it until spring ! What are you gonna plant this year ???? really. so cover it til spring and no dig all day long xx
You'd be better building the compost bays before you start clearing so you don't have to move everything twice. That weed you couldn't identify is creeping cinquifoil, has a deep tap root, spreads by runners.
I apologise if the camera is shaky through parts of this video. The ground was very difficult to walk on with a camera in hand with all the bricks/weeds/rubble in the way.
Good job getting over the bumpy ground there Jim! Thanks for including us in your and your Mum’s new allotment 💚
Its ok mate we all like a few jars on a sundee
Good luck. Strim it down as low as possible. Dig out tree saplings and brambles. I wouldn't bother with weed suppressing membrane, just causes problems down the line. You can use it to cover specific areas oner the winter but lay your cardboard directly onto the ground and compost on top then remove perennial weeds as they grow through. Check your lease about tree management. We are restricted to fruit or nut bearing trees to 1.5 m. Tackle it in sections so you don't get down hearted.
Those are some great tips thank you! 😊 One of those trees was huge! Probably 15-20ft tall. Chopped it down. We've covered the plot in membrane, with plans to wood chip paths so the membrane isn't being constantly walked on. Time will tell if that works or not. Thanks for watching and commenting 😊
I'm sure you and your mum are up for the challenge! Very exciting. I'm looking forward to watching your progress. 💚🌱
Thank you 😊 my mum is super excited to get growing next year!
Good luck with the new plot, I’m sure you’ll get it ship shape come next year 🌱
My goodness, you have got your hands full there Jim , good luck to you and your mum I look forward to seeing your progress 👍
Loads of exciting stuff to come next year!
My advice is to make a warm compost and use a weeding knife, it will make your life easier.
a lot work but i feel at the end with both plots side by side will be well worth it. id say think of positive after its done things be so much better as you both together
Thank you! 😊
It will be wonderful to get it sorted and be able to set back and look at it all grow.
It certainly will for sure! I wish I could sit back and leave it all to grow. Truth is, I'll be fighting the weeds, pests, and then some 😂😂😂
Always good to have the option to expand mate. just keep working in it
Can never have too much space!
I love a new project. Your plans sound great. I wouldn't use weed suppressant membrane under the raised beds though. It's not great. I have followed no dig for the last 5 years and had a lot of success. I just put cardboard down on top of the weeds after I had chopped them all down and the cardboard and compost on top kept them at bay. I know it sounds like it wouldn't work but it really does
Do you find the membrane break down quickly? I've used membrane on my plot but the heavy duty stuff that lasts many years. So far got 5 years out of it
Loadsa´ hard work, but that is why we enjoy it so much. As for all the weeds, I don´t see it, All I see is boat loads on next year compost........ Enjoy !!
All cleared now 😁
So terribly sad how people treat the ground we grow in 😢, but I know you will tackle it as you do and get it in shape in no time. I like everyone else am really looking forward to seeing your progress. Check big box stores and bathroom suppliers for large cardboard, most pay to have it hauled away and love giving it away. Have a super weekend, Ali 🥵🌞🇨🇦
It's mind boggling but it's all cleared now! Next year will be a good year I'm hopeful!
I have just got half a plot. Im up the wall with that. I’m sure you will do well. I’m going to copy and no dig also 🙏
Best way to go in my opinion!
Good luck!
@@downtoearthwithjim thanks!
After 32 years no dig in New Zealand, can you get hold of a trailer find a farm with old silage, hay, straw, any animal manure and use that as your main material, using cardboard old tree branches or any any non treated timber for your base, then straw, then lawn clippings, then manure, finally compost, the idea is to make a in situation compost heap.
We get lots of horse manure delivered to our site. It's just ensuring it has no herbicide in it. We had a suspected dodgy batch this year which I thought had aminopyralid in. The rest seems to be ok
What came with this plot? The shed? What was inside of it? I like to see the good surprises too, not just the bad. Anytime you find bricks, that’s really good. I’m thinking you’ll need some hefty power tools & muscle to tackle the trees. Remember to save limbs/branches for vine structures. Now harvest those plums! And let us know what you baked with them
We ate those plums just fresh as they are. There were quite a lot of plum moth larvae though. The shed is mine on my existing plot. I've cut down 3 trees already, which has opened the space up nicely 😊
Thanks
Thank you so much! You are so kind 😊 my first ever super thanks. I hope you can continue enjoying my videos 😊 💚
Arborist wood chips a very thick layer after you can cut that weed layer down near ground level and clean the brick and plastic off. You may have to wait to plant in it, but the soil should be full of life.
I swear by using wood chips to add to growing beds once they're composted! That's how I'm helping fill up the raised beds
I took on my allotment this year I chose no dig the best way all I say is I used cardboard I wish I put it down thicker as it degrades quicker than I thought weeds just coming through but its manageable. All the best look forward to seeing your progress
That's one of the reasons we put weed suppressant membrane down as it'll last much longer and there are too many perennial weeds in the ground
My plan would be to strim all the weeds down, and then focus on ripping up and removing all the plastic. Then build some beds and start building the soil.
Good tips. We are building the soil above membrane in raised beds and creating wood chip paths so we aren't constantly standing on membrane 😊
Have to start somewhere, better than nothing.
Very true! A lot of the work is done now
Hi Jim, I recently took on a plot that was in a similar state to yours... it has taken me 3 months to clear it all and still need to level it out as the previous owner made a pond and all the soil went into mounded flower beds which have now been overtaken by weeds like nettle, bramble etc.. so don't feel like your on your own... there are plenty folks on my site doing exactly the same as you on their plots.
Just need to think of the end plan and how it will look ...
Good luck as I am very interested in how your journey will go!!
Blimey! 3 months! Have you planted anything yet for overwintering? Loads of updates to come next year aimed at providing value to my viewers 😊
I'd be interested to know what that plant that is everywhere is as i have it on my plot too.
You should keep the bricks to make flower beds
A good idea! My mum wants to make something with those bricks
if that was me i'd clear as much as i
can, and cover it until spring !
What are you gonna plant this year ???? really.
so cover it til spring and no dig all day long xx
No dig all the way! Even my existing plot is going completely no dig with raised beds. Just so much better in so many ways!
4:45 Google Tansy (although I couldn't see any yellow flowers), but it has a distinctive smell.
Thanks for the info!
You'd be better building the compost bays before you start clearing so you don't have to move everything twice. That weed you couldn't identify is creeping cinquifoil, has a deep tap root, spreads by runners.
Thank you for the information 😊 it's all been covered over now which eliminates the need to dig it all out hopefully!
There is some work to do there..but i m sure you lll make it
Why use membrane when there are so much better routes to go
Do you have any suggestions? We are open to different ideas!