Organic way to get rid of grass in allotment
Elly11
Posts: 6
Hi
I have a half plot on an organic allotment site. It was badly overgrown when I got it last year and I still have about a third of the plot to go - where grass is firmly established.
What is the best way to get rid of the grass? I can't even get a spade/fork into it. I don't have a car so couldn't hire a rotavator, and have only shears to cut it. It's not just grass around the plot - there is a huge strip of it that must be at least 2 1/2 feet wide running down the length and another strip at least 3 feet running across the width. Another plot holder told me that it is, very annoyingly, the legacy of the person who had the plot before me and thought it would be smart to throw lots of grass seed down (instead of veg seed, I guess).
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Posts
Just as well you can't get your hands on a rotovator as you have been saved from compounding your problem. They just chop the roots up and multiply the mess.
You have to dig it out. And you have to take out all the long roots as well. It's time consuming and soul destroying but you do win in the end.
When you say you can't get a spade or fork into it, are you meaning that you began in the middle? You have to creep up on it from behind and start at an edge. That way it doesn't see you coming and you have the advantage over it.
The ground will be very hard until it's had a few autumnal soaks - then you can really get going with that spade and fork. At least it sounds as if it's a lawn-type grass and not the dreaded couch or twitch - you can be thankful for that at least.
If you're allowed bonfires on your allotment spread the grass roots out on an old sheet or something similar and let it dry in the sun during a long sunny spell, then make a small bonfire with twigs and the dried grass - you can do the same with weeds. The resulting ash can be spread on the soil as a source of potash.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Cut it down with shears or a strimmer. Rake it off. Cover with black plastic and weigh down with bricks. and then in spring you should be able to fork out whats left .