Beware the weed-supressing matting

When we took on Plot 21 in the spring of 2013, I was blinded by the size and potential of the plot, and failed to see many of the (literal) pit falls it has.

The former tenant had tried to go for a low maintenance option using weed-supressing matting, both on the paths and as edging round the beds. The problem was that the matting was not good enough to stop the couch grass roots getting through (and making holes wide enough for everything else to get through too). As a result, I have spent a good bit of this winter digging out this horrible matting. At least I can console myself that this is a job that only needs to be done once.

 Don't let weeds get through your weed suppressing matting!

One bed had matting all round the edge and a path across the middle. It has been so wet that huge clumps of clay clung to the roots as I pulled at the matting. Much more back-breaking than digging, and not what you expect to be doing when you take on an allotment.

A whole weed-infested path being removed

The former tenant also dug out holes, lined them with matting, filled them with compost and planted fruit trees and soft fruits in them. When he left, he took the plants with him, leaving us with big, plastic-lined holes. As my god-son put it - the allotment is full of booby traps.

Don't fall into the booby trap.

One of my tasks for the winter was to fill all these holes. I have got most of them done but the wet has finally forced me to give up for now. That, and a frog that I found hibernating in one of the holes.

Not giant mole hills but filled-in booby traps

It is going to be a novelty to be able to walk across the allotment and not fall into a hole, or get bits of matting caught up in the strimmer! Ahh, we have it all to look forward to!