Newbie Help

[Ibroxblue]

Hi all,

Have just taken over a derelict allotment and would like to ask for some advice.

We had a clearing party last weekend and a mini JCB was hired to help with the rubbish clean up - as the majority of rubbish was on my plot two pits were dug at the end and the rubbish was buried about four to five feet down (a mixture of glass, brick, metal, plastic, and what looked like some small bits of asbestos) - I must admit to being slightly disappointed at this although I was told this is normal and not to worry. Should I be worried - the guys who advised me have been doing this for years and therefore did not want to question this at the time.

My plot itself is covered in grass and the soil is clay - I intended to turn this over this weekend so the grass is face down and dig out the weeds that I find (I have been told they mostly have a yellow root?). Is this the right thing to do to let the soil break up and then rotovate it a week or so later, and when should I look to add fertiliser - I have been advised by a friend to use chicken pellets?

Any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

[PLOT1]

Hi Ibroxblue,

sounds like your going to be bust this weekend. I wouldn't worry about your buried treasures. Years ago before skips everybody buried there rubbish.

With clay I would be getting as much Leaf matter, compost and even horse, sheep, goat manure on as possible. Even loads of softwood shavings to help break the clay down. You can use growmore and bloodmeal to make up for any nutriant losses. Chicken manure or pelets contain trace elements but be careful not to use to much because its a hot manure. Next year your soil will be looking good with plenty of worms.