holly Posted December 11, 2010 Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 applied to bradford council for an allotment there are 5 in easy reach from home about 2 mile max i was told there was a 2yr waiting list so i put my name down on three of them after about six month i got a letter saying one was available so last night i went and picked up a key to go view the plot on offer. in the allotment area it is mapped out and there are 91 different plots with only 12 at most that look to have been used this year .when i picked the key up the kind lady said it may be slightly overgrown but nothing a little strimmer wouldn't sort out ? all i have to do now is acquire a little strimmer , i dont know why but looking at the plot massey ferguson comes to mind what do you think chaps ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiltsmark Posted December 11, 2010 Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 (edited) WOW dont know about an allotement but would certainly make a good hide, good luck with that Edited December 11, 2010 by Wiltsmark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barn_Owl Posted December 11, 2010 Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 A job for a JCB provided access is available. Go for it ... how's the security from Yob's ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeh Posted December 11, 2010 Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 See if you can get your hands on a decent brushcutter. It'll just take a day or so to clear and move it all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libs Posted December 11, 2010 Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 The set up phase is the hardest bit, once you have opended the ground up its really simple things like watering and weeding that take the time. I have a 131sq m plot half a mile from home, when we took it on it was just grass and took HOURS of work simply just to get to exposed soil (98% clay) and then improve it with **** and the like. One trick I would reccomened, once you have napalmed that forest, is to cover a large area with as much horse muck as you can get, cover that with lots of cardboard and then some tarps. The grass will die back and the carboard will dissolve and rot over about 6 months and the soil left under is great. And if you know someone who is a carpet fitter try and get them to provide you with lots of old carpet, its great for making paths and covering up the ground to stop weeds etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted December 11, 2010 Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 (edited) NAh a decent brush cutter a bow saw a fork, spade and rotivator over a 2-3 month period and it will be right to go it will take some time and investment to get decent ground. start by clearing the brambles etc (if allowed have a bonfire to put the ash back into the soil) then dig out roots and other **** turn the ground over (ideally with plenty of manure etc) wait till after the frost to do this.... then you are good to go.....you can hire brush cutters and rotivators for a reasonable amount from HSS etc http://www.hss.com/g/62116/Brush-Cutter-4-Stroke.html http://www.hss.com/g/62516/Power-Digger-Petrol.html http://www.hss.com/g/62526/Cultivator-8hp-Petrol.html Probably find local plant/tool hire place cheaper http://www.banson.uk.com/Products.aspx/gardening-outdoors/ spend a day or 2 clearing big stuff by hand first then get the machines in...you never know, if people see you working on the ground they may well offer to help/lend you equipment. Edited December 11, 2010 by HDAV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8landy Posted December 11, 2010 Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 (edited) I have one word...PIGS. But suspect you can not have them? Either way take it...it will make a man of you. Edited December 11, 2010 by V8landy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stutieb Posted December 11, 2010 Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 *** .seriously tho take it work hard and reap the rewards in the future Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lez325 Posted December 11, 2010 Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 get in touch with Bill Oddie- you could film Autumn Watch in that patch- are there Badgers??? Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKPoacher Posted December 11, 2010 Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 Watch out for hidden Japanese soldiers who don't know the war is over! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8landy Posted December 11, 2010 Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 If I was about 10 again, that would be a great place for den building! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted December 11, 2010 Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 Mine was worse than that 15 years ago when I took it over....Go for it, Brush cutter, Bonfire, Roundup and then hire a decent heavy Rotovator for a day or two.. You will be planting come April....Trust me you wont regret it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holly Posted December 11, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 when i applied for one this was what i was expecting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted December 11, 2010 Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 Give it 12-18 months hard graft mate and that's what you will have! IF you have a 4x4 trailer you can make good friends with the others on the plot very easily fetching manure from stables and other materials...if you're lucky you can drive onto the ground and get near your plot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8landy Posted December 11, 2010 Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 when i applied for one this was what i was expecting Yes and with Charlie Dimmock in the shed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted December 11, 2010 Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 take a gun, might be rabbits in there, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted December 11, 2010 Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 take a gun, might be rabbits in there, May well be but probably not a good idea on a Council Administered allotment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ91 Posted December 11, 2010 Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 wait while bonfire night and set it alight, would make a good bonfire! in all seriousness though, take it. in 12-18months when you hav it in full colour with some nice veggies you can stand back and be proud of what you have achieved a good deal of satisfaction in turning that into a flower haven! before and after pics to show everyone with a big grin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted December 11, 2010 Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 wait while bonfire night and set it alight, would make a good bonfire! in all seriousness though, take it. in 12-18months when you hav it in full colour with some nice veggies you can stand back and be proud of what you have achieved a good deal of satisfaction in turning that into a flower haven!before and after pics to show everyone with a big grin! Flowers...you big Northern softy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ91 Posted December 11, 2010 Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 Flowers...you big Northern softy potatoes flower and thers nowt wrong with growing them to have on me plate for sunday roast wether you grow pwetty flowers or veggies it will be an achievement starting from what i see in that picture! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morgan Posted December 11, 2010 Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 (edited) You will need a really powerfull brushcutter to attack that or else it will just be too annoying getting it snarled up all the time. I would go and buy a vintage long handled brushing hook forged by british craftsmen eg. an Elwell or similar for about £15.00. Then spend some time contemplating the task and honing the blade to extreme sharpness, with a whetstone and bucket of water. Spend frenzied 20 minute spells attacking the jungle with it for as long as it takes. Then rake up all the brash and burn it. Repeat this process as necessary until you can see the ground. Then wait until spring and the grass starts to grow, then glysophate it (roundup) at a 35ml a litre mix. Let all the vegetation die off. Hire an large american Barreto hydraulic rotovator (£50 a day) and rotovate it. Don't be tempted to rotovate the living daylights out of it as you will spoil the soil structure. Rake all the brash, stones and nasties into little rows and remove Leave it for a month - then spray all the regrowth again with roundup Lightly fork it over whilst adding organic material and rake over again Buy a hoe and clean up any other light emerging weedgrowth as they come up. Cheers Edited December 12, 2010 by morgan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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