Anyone have any experience of using black plastic to cover their site as a weedkiller? I'm toying with the idea of using it to deprive the site (or at least parts of it) from sunlight for long enough so everything dies. I can then start fromm scratch. This would avoid the need to use chemicals.

If so, (1) how long is long enough to leave it covered to achieve what I want; and (2) anyone know how long you can leave your site covered rather than actually using it without getting into trouble? One hopes the answers to (1) and (2) are the same!

Weevil,

If you are a new allotment tenant and your site is pretty wild (quite likely at most sites) then the allotment office will give you some time to get things under control. They normally want to see that you have made a start clearing the site and have a couple of beds in a workable state. Try to get the hedges down as this is a clear sign that you're starting to work the plot. (5 foot is the maximum height allowed)

I've never had the patience to cover and wait so have no idea of the time it takes. If I was you I'd cover the areas that you are not going to work in the next year and start digging what you think is manageable for you (don't be too ambitious).

I don't think the allotment officer would be happy if you covered the whole site and left if for a year and presumably you want to get something planted this year. Also cardboard is cheaper than plastic and biodegrades so it can be dug into the soil when you finally dig. It also gets heavy when wet and so doesn't need much weighing down, unlike plastic. Which site are you on? Good luck and enjoy your plot.

Many thanks and I didn't know cardboard was a viable alternative!

I used membrane in my garden to put under the bark mulch areas.

Worked a treat. :)