[Natalie Patch]

Hello,

Got an allotment plot recently. I have been reading John's books but i have a question with regard to starting a new piece of ground.

Because i have just got the plot i have not been able to prepare compost, leaf mould or manure over the year/half year it takes to get it ready.

I can buy some compost, lime and i saw in one of John's chapters about digging leaves in that will rot over winter to create good humus.

But what about manure? From what i have seen it should be added in well rotted form in late autumn/winter time but i don't have any that is rotted enough for this year.

Can i use straight manure dug in for this first year or should i not use it??

Cheers

Natalie

[SG6]

You could add compost from a store but they tend to produce a medium then add fertiliser to it. I would say that any you bought would be more use as a soil conditioner. But that isn't a problem. I am thinking here of the potting/general compost that you can buy at 3 or 4 bags for £10.

I wouldn't worry too much for the first year, I assume that it has rested previously and didn't have anything in it for a while?

I would say dig it, add "cheap" compost as a soil conditioner, if you think it is needed or useful, and dig in something like pelleted chicken manure. A tub of the stuff should be OK and it is convenient.

After that start your own compost heap and use that.

[Trillium]

If you're just prepping the plot for next year and not planning on growing anything yet, raw, fresh manure is fine to dig in now. By spring it will have matured enough to be safe for plants. If you plan to put in fall items like garlic, winter onions, etc, don't put fresh manure in those areas as it won't have decomposed in time and will likely 'burn' your bulbs. In those areas you'd be better off with bagged manure/compost/whatever.
Why? Because the soil needs nourishment and lightening (tilth). Shredded leaves can be added as well and raw manure will more quickly break down the leaves. A rotovator would shred whole leaves nicely. If you simply can't get hold of manure (which is odd in the land of stables and horses) just add the leaves and plant whenever.