New allotment, where to start

[FifiWasAFlowerpot]

Hello, we've just taken on a new plot which is currently covered in waist high grass and ragwort. (There are a few current bushes fighting through and some fruit trees, so it's not all bad). I'm not quite sure where to start to clear it. We are planning on putting plastic over the lot to kill off most of the weeds. Is this the best thing to do? Should we pull the ragwort up first? And what's best to cover the grass/weeds, black plastic or or do we need anti-weed matting?

Sorry for the stupid questions, complete allotment novice here.

A lot of people will be horrified but buy a good weedkiller and then cover with black plastic for a couple of months

Join a good gardening forum

Follow my youtube channel for weekly allotment videos www.youtube.com/seanjamescameron

I've just taken on a new allotment. My plan is to cover it with cardboard and place woodchips on top. When it comes to planting I'll part the woodchips and place some compost in which I'll plant/sow. The cardboard will help kill the weeds.

Personally I see no problem is using chemicals in the first year just to get the area under control and help you get a step ahead.

www.allotment-garden.org/allotment-information/clearing-new-allotment/

(Don't use carpet). Good advice is to cover half and then do a couple of lasagna beds and plant something that will overwinter. Onions and garlic can go in now. Put a rectangles of manure down, then more organic matter, - sea weed, grass clipping, compost (though you won't have much of your own yet) spent mushroom compost. Then cover with big sheets of cardboard - weigh down with stones or more manure and then plant through the cardboard. There's nothing better than seeing a bit of growth in the winter.

Prepare a similar bed and cover with black plastic ready to plant potatoes in March. When you uncover the bed in spring the worms will have done all the work.

Thanks for the tips and links. If i use weedkiller, what can I do with the weeds (presumably I can't compost them?).
If I don't use weedkiller, what do I do with the ragwort? Do I need to pull it up first and burn it or something? Or just ignore and just keep weeding it once it starts growing? Do councils take it in garden waste?