1st year of growing

skywalker · « **on:** January 26, 2007, 21:20 »

Been digging over the plot (long way to go yet). I'm intending to grow root crops (potatoes, carrots, beetroot, and maybe swede), Brassicas (sprouts, broccoli), Legumes (peas - along with my onions and leeks) as I believe they like similar soil preperation?, oh and some squash and pumpkins. Have I grouped these correctly?

Question - Once I have turned the ground over (there were no crops grown last year) what can I do to improve the soil for each of the above groups prior to planting?
The soil seems to vary from one end to the other with the top end being a bit heavier with some clay and the bottom seeming more of a crumbling soil?
Would this affect what I grow where or will it not matter as I intend to rotate each year anyway?

richyrich7 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 26, 2007, 21:55 »

Don't know about peas with onions and leeks, they might not grow to well, as runner beans & onions don't grow well together, so it could be that legumes and onion family don't mix.
No manure for your carrots else they spilt into weird shapes.
Grow your spuds on the heavier soil as they will help break it up, or grow brassicas and lime your soil first, this will cause the fine clay particles to stick together ( flocculation ) again helping to break the clay up, also brassicas like the soil a bit on the alkali side.

muntjac · « **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2007, 21:58 »

then heavy manure the heavy ground with a dressing of sharp sand

skywalker · « **Reply #3 on:** January 27, 2007, 08:09 »

Great! thanks for the tips guys!

supersprout · « **Reply #4 on:** January 27, 2007, 09:57 »

Mulch!
Mulching adds organic matter to the soil at its own (worm-like) pace, conserves water, and prevents annual weeds and most perennial weeds from growing.
Whatever organic material you have, once your seedlings are up, mulch heavily - up to 8" - it will soon settle down. Then top up whenever it looks like it needs more.
You can use raw or rotted compost, straw, hay, leaves and leafmould, rottded manure, coffee grounds, spent hops, comfrey, plant shreddings, shredded cardboard and paper, seaweed - anything that will rot. I use fresh pony poo as a mulch during the growing season (except on root areas), just make sure it doesn't touch the tender stems of growing plants. Great around greedy feeding fruit bushes e.g. blackcurrants and raspbs.

More info at http://www.organicgardening.com/feature/0,7518,s-5-21-189,00.html

Happy growing!

Annie · « **Reply #5 on:** January 27, 2007, 19:17 »

Loads of good advice there but I think swedes and turnips are brassicas. Also welcome to the site.

skywalker · « **Reply #6 on:** January 27, 2007, 23:45 »

Wasn't sure about the swedes have heard various opinions. Thanks 4 the welcome. The site is great!!!!!!!

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