Allotment question re clearing.

[debbiem]

I went to our allotment(ooo that sounds good, 'our' allotment) today and spent an hour or so laying into a thicket of nettles and brambles. Several lacerations, a whack on the nose by an indignant bramble, several stings and a pair of shredded Marigolds later(haven't got round to getting some gloves yet) and I have a massive heap of nettles, brambles and worse of all dead brown brambles. On Sunday I cleared another area of the allotment and made another heap of the same kind of thing. OH has his own heaps too. The question is - I take it that the only way of getting rid of all this is burning it, but it'll be bad for the ground wouldn't it? Would you recommend an incinerator with legs off the ground? Also we have houses on the other side of the fence - I take it normal bonfire rules apply to that. But what does everyone else do with all the massive heaps of debris you get through clearing? We have two plots joined together and so much more to clear!

Thanks!

Debbie

[Sweetleaf]

debbiem said:

I went to our allotment(ooo that sounds good, 'our' allotment) today and spent an hour or so laying into a thicket of nettles and brambles. Several lacerations, a whack on the nose by an indignant bramble, several stings and a pair of shredded Marigolds later(haven't got round to getting some gloves yet) and I have a massive heap of nettles, brambles and worse of all dead brown brambles. On Sunday I cleared another area of the allotment and made another heap of the same kind of thing. OH has his own heaps too. The question is - I take it that the only way of getting rid of all this is burning it, but it'll be bad for the ground wouldn't it? Would you recommend an incinerator with legs off the ground? Also we have houses on the other side of the fence - I take it normal bonfire rules apply to that. But what does everyone else do with all the massive heaps of debris you get through clearing? We have two plots joined together and so much more to clear!

Thanks!

Debbie

Check with the allotment committee when youre allowed a bonfire. I am (after Oct 2 onwards to spring), the ash will be good for the soil. I wouldnt invest in an incinerator to leave up there an old metal dustbin on bricks with holes in it will do. Great to warm up on a cold day as well. ;D

[debbiem]

I've met the chairman and secretary of the allotment committee, on different occasions at the allotments - they seem very keen to recruit us to the committee and are really approachable and helpful, saying anything you need please ask etc - I'll ask them. Very soon the allotment is going to be just a huge area of heaps there's so much to clear - a dustbin's a great idea! I wish I had a camera(still haven't got round to it), as the plot's right out of the way in the corner - it's lovely. The one plot's not too bad but the other one is eeeek! It must've been a wildlife haven for centuries. I saw a couple of people with small smouldering bonfires on Sunday - but I think we could do a bonfire display-size bonfire from now until Easter the undergrowth's got its own undergrowth!
Everyone keeps offering machinery which is really kind, but I get a great satisfaction(so far anyway) of laying into it manually. I didn't realize the ash'd be good for the soil - that's good news.
Thanks Sweetleaf!

[4pygmies]

If you try and burn it as small as possible you can dig it straight in MrsB - wonderful source of potash.....just make sure the bramble thorns have gone.....I regularly sieve the ashes in our bonfire area to put in the veggie garden.

[debbiem]

That's a great idea 4P - I'm always a bit worried that we'll have this incontollable inferno with a big fire, there's so many dry brown brambles amongst ithe heap. Brilliant! Little and often, perfect! Thanks.

[emseypop]

We started a fire on sunday and within 2 minutes a neighbor shouted they had their washing out over the fence, so we put it out Wish they were so observant when it comes to the thieves and Vandals

[debbiem]

I bet they're never around at times like that are they? If the neighbours over the fence aren't like that I think it'll be a first for us. :

[alicat]

Hi Mrs Beige

congratulations on getting your Lottie.

Hope you and Hubby have lots of fun. ;D

[debbiem]

Thanks Ali. ;D We're off there tomorrow for more bramble and nettle thrashing. We're taking our son this time - he's not keen (understatement)but I think it'll convert him. ;D Our daughters love it already - what we all need are some shiny new wellies and then I think there'll be no stopping them. ;D