Alan Crocker wrote:

I've finally got my new allotment, I've been asking since February, they
said I could have the plot in June and actually I got the plot today!!! (A
friend in the next county managed the whole process in less than a month,
but that's another gripe!)
Here's my problem:
Nettles!
Oh and thistles and brambles and just about every other perennial weeds you
care to think of that will grow after years of neglect.
Does anyone have suggestions on the best way to clear it and suggestions on
what would be a good vegetables to start with?

Hi

I'm not terribly experienced, I got my first allotment ever this year at
the end of May, but this is what I did.

It was in the same state as yours. Burning was not an option as it's
strictly forbidden in our allotments.

I started by clearing a 2x3m area using a fork to dig the ground and remove
the roots of perennial weeds. Backbreaking work, but I wanted to put at
least one raised bed and start growing stuff, to encourage myself.

Then, a neighbouring plotholder lent me a hoe that made the whole job soooo
much easier.
It's not the weeding hoe, it has a flat blade 8in wide that sits at right
angles from the handle - it can be used to just cut the weeds at ground
level or to dig the ground. I'd never seen it in garden centres, I bought
mine from a builders merchant.

I managed to clear the whole plot in a few weeks, piled all weeds and roots
in a great heap. This hoe does cut the roots in smaller pieces, but I
found it more manageable - with new thistle/bindweed shoots, I dig some up
or spray them weekly and they are dying. Lots of seeds germinated, and
annual weeds are still coming up, but with this hoe it takes me about 1
hour a week to clear the plot.

With the ground clear, I managed to put 8 raised beds made from pallets and
have grown a lot of stuff in just 3 months. Other friendly plotholders
gave me thinnings of their plants and lots of advice. I've grown carrots,
peas, french beans, spinach, runner beans, beetroot, cos lettuce, leeks,
sweetcorn, tomatoes, potatoes, cauliflowers, even pumpkins and melons.

I had old seed packets and bought some new ones, but I tried sowing stuff
even if the packet said it was too late. I didn't care too much if I
didn't get anything back from it, I just wanted to have a go. Some failed
to come up, but most grew, and I've been bringing home lots of lovely,
sweet, fresh vegetables for weeks. So enjoy your allotment.

I've just planted onion sets (got three varieties from Mr Fothergills
online), still sowing spring onions, onions, carrots (Autumn King), Pak
choi, cabbage for spring greens, salads, rocket. I also ordered strawberry
plants, which should arrive in October.

For more ideas of what to sow now, the hdra and rhs have pages with what to
do this month,

http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/calendar.asp
http://www.hdra.org.uk/todo_now/veg_gard_now.htm

Also, look in seeds websites, get seeds catalogues etc.

Sorry it's a long post, but I hope it helps

Griz