Organic Allotment Without Weeds

Grow Your Own Vegetables and Stay Weed Free without Chemicals

Jul 3, 2008

Advice on how to control weeds and grow your own vegetables all year round without the with natural fertilizers and organic methods.

A well tended organic allotment provides the plotholder with the opportunity to grow their own vegetables all year round. Add to that good exercise in the fresh air, and a friendly supportive community of fellow allotment holders, and it is no wonder that allotments are enjoying renewed popularity in Britain!

Grow your own vegetables all year round

It is possible to grow your own vegetables on an organic allotment all year round with careful planning. Plan winter crops in the spring and summer, discover low energy storage techniques such as root cellaring and dehydrating fruit and vegetables. The “hungry gap” in spring is a time when home grown vegetables are scarce, so why not supplement the allotment harvest with wild green salads ?

Many unused allotments will be covered by perennial weeds such as bindweed and couch grass. Don’t despair, weed control fabric offers a simple, organic way to clear an overgrown garden while still growing a healthy vegetable crop at the same time!

Keeping your Organic Allotment Weed Free

Weeds can grow at a phenomenal rate on any area of an allotment without a vigorously growing crop. Arm yourself with a Swiss oscillating hoe which is an excellent tool for slicing through weeds effortlessly. A Swiss oscillating hoe may be used with precision to avoid your crops while thoroughly weeding the spaces between your precious vegetables.

On larger areas without a crop for any period, grow a vigorous green manure crop to preserve soil nutrients, keep the soil in good condition, avoid compacting, and to control weeds . Hungarian grazing rye is an excellent green manure crop for overwintering in temperate climates, whereas buckwheat will quickly compete with weeds during the growing season. Both of these two green manure crops have the advantage of fitting in anywhere in your crop rotation.

Visit your allotment regularly to keep weeds under control and to keep on top of regular tasks such as watering, planting, and most importantly, harvesting. It is estimated that a standard allotment takes around eight to twelve hours per week to manage, however the work load is very seasonal, and careful use of weed control matting, mulching and green manures will help you to manage your plot more easily.

Experienced allotment holder neighbours are a mine of useful information on what will, and what will not, grow well on your allotment. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice, generally allotment folk are very friendly and approachable. A wise piece of advice may save you a lot of heart ache and wasted effort!

No longer the preserve of a few elderly gentleman, today’s allotments abound with swings and slides for young families, fun competitions, open days, community gardens and many other initiatives. And an allotment is just one way to reduce your grocery bill while eating well.

Allotment fields around the UK are reporting record success as more and more people want to grow their own vegetables on an organic allotment. Most allotment fields have considerable waiting lists, and may even offer half or even quarter allotments for rent.

The copyright of the article Organic Allotment Without Weeds in Organic Gardens is owned by Joanne E. Brannan. Permission to republish Organic Allotment Without Weeds in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.