Hello. This is my first post as my partner and I have just taken over a rather overgrown allotment. I was wanting some help in identifying some of the plants that are currently growing unchecked on the plot. I suspect some of them may be crops that have gone to seed, but I want to check in order that we don't just hack and slash at them unwisely, spreading an infestation of nasty weeds.
There are pictures of them on our blog under the headings 'What is this?' (http://blood-on-the-compost.blogspot.com/2008/03/what-is-this.html) and 'More mystery growth ...' (http://blood-on-the-compost.blogspot.com/2008/03/more-mystery-growth.html)
Any help would be hugely appreciated.

Hello and welcome Mmmm! I'm not sure I can answer either of your questions (the first does look suspiciously like sage!), but I have updated your links to make them clickable.

Whereabouts is your allotment? Are you a keen gardener, or like us, complete novices but giving it a go!

Anyway, welcome to the SF Allotment and Gardening group - I hope you'll get some answers better than mine!

Zweena

hi there, the first one definitely looks like something worth saving. The second could possibly be a flower head perhaps, but the third one looks like a meanie. I do have a weed book somewhere and if I can unearth it from under the mess left by the builders I'll have another look.

Which site are you on ? I had to do a double take as I thought maybe you were my new neighbours LOL.

Hello and thanks for replying.

Zweena: My partner and I are complete novices, but we're determined to get this plot going again. Your answer was great.

mc55: I'm not sure I like the look of the third one (I'm presuming you mean the green leafy thing?). I'll also be looking over the fence next time I'm on the plot to discover whether we are neighbours.

Cheers,
Mmmm

Hi there Mmmm, judging by the photo it looks like you are on the Norton Lees site next to Meersbrook Park (by the way, you can see my house in the background of photo No. 3 - great shot). Don't panic you're definitely not neighbours with mc.

Welcome to Meersbrook allotmenting, I'm on the Heeley and District site (big one at the end of Meersbrood that many people call Meersbrook to add to the confusion).

Anyway to answer you're question I think photo no.1 (hairy leaves) could be Great Mullein. Lovely tall spikes of yellow flowers, rather like foxglove but taller and more compact - great for bees. If you're going to dig them up and you confirm that they are great Mullein then plant them in a wild corner or I'd love to have them for my lottie if you want to get rid of them.

No.2 could be wild carrot or another umbellifer like Cow Parsley, Angelica, Sweet Cicely or could be Dill or even Caraway. Though could be edible carrot as you say.

No.3 looks really familiar but I can't think what it could be. I may have to consult some wilds flower books and see if I can track it down.

I love these 'what is this plant' threads and these are not as straight forward as some of the others. Good distraction from work anyway...

Great Mullein: see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Common_Mullein_closeup.jpg

Thanks low carbon. I really appreciate people taking the time to look. You're all of great help!