Allotment 24 - Massive Dandelion Roots Everywhere - Hard Digging [Photos]

Over the last few days I have dug the second boarder in the allotment and boy it ward hard!

We did a better job on this boarder than the other, however this boarder is too full of weed roots particularly Dandelion and Couch Grass.

The roots of the Dandelions are really thick and have clearly been growing a long time and the Couch Grass weeds spread entangled in everything. It has taken around 8-10 hours to fully turn the bed and there are still massive roots left in places.

I spent 3 hours today turning and digging another 3rd to a half of the boarder.

I chose to dig by hand instead of a rotavater because I wan't the weeds to be fully removed before I prepare the beds ready for next year by following the "No Dig" method. Not just churned up.

So it may be harder work, but it will be worth it in the end. I also really enjoy putting my energy into preparing the soil. I feel i know the earth beneath me better and connect with it around me more so than if I used equipment to help.

Ember the dog has also been visiting the allotment and is enjoying chewing all the random bits of sticks and wood that are around.

My other half Som has also been a star and been and picked up 30 slabs! So they have made it to the allotment, however we are undecided where it is best to use them. As they are 2ft by 2ft its going to take lot of energy to dig foot down all the around.

So I may just place them around each boarder, which hopefully should stop the weeds and give us some space for the new shed and a seating area. However time will tell.

Now that the second bed is dug, and both are covered under tarp. We are nearly onto stage 2 of the allotment preparation. Which is collecting well rotted manure, newspapers, and covering each bed and then leaving them to the worms got a few months, and then repeat, ready for next year.

Som would like to grow some Tea at the moment so we are hoping to have an area cleared quickly to that he can start his teas off this summer. Other than that the rest of this year will be spent getting the pond and general allotment area ready.

The design we are thinking of following are on my last post here