[loobs61]

Hi Everyone, hope you are all enjoying the sunshine, spring has defo sprung  I need some advise about planting sprouts. I have a small plot in the veg garden that lay fallow last year. previous year grew leeks. I would like to use it this year for sprouts as I know they like FIRM ground and as this has not been touched its very firm.  NO weeds.  Do i need to top dress or add anything before planting sprouts later? dont want to dig as this would disturb the otherwise firm ground.
many thanks

[m1ckz]

thet like a bit of lime raked in

[Totty]

Your idea is spot on, I too leave ground for all brassicas untouched on the whole. I do go over my planting line with a mantis tiller before putting the plants in though. It's important they get good strong establishing growth so I top dress with BFB or similar, then till the line, then plant them out. All the surrounding soil is still very firm but initially they get there roots going, before stabilising in the firm stuff. I used to grow montgomerie until this year and they get big, so I'd stale them too. Trying cascade this year for a change but I'll probably stake them too.

You only need to add lime to correct your soil, it's pointless just putting it on as a matter of coarse.

Totty

[loobs61]

Thanks M1 ckz and totty for your imput on the sprouts.will give it a go this year, fingers crossed.

[diospyros]

Totty - I don't want to be un-tactful but should your profile not read "grower of biggest pumpkin" rather than "biggest pumpkin grower"?

[Totty]

Depends on how big the other pumpkins growers were I suppose. I'm 6ft 4, so I may well be one of the biggest!

Totty