[green_fingered_ash]

I have this much soil (~spades depth) on my plot, reading about spacings for different veg, do i have to compensate by spacing them out more due to the limited depth?

kind regards

Ash

[Yorkie]

You'll need to plant spuds further apart I think, so that there's more soil available between rows to do the earthing up.

Wouldn't have thought it necessary with anything else that springs to mind.

You may have difficulty growing deeper-rooted plants altogether, though.

[compostqueen]

If your soil is shallow you can bulk it up by making compost, adding manures, leafmould (get a leaf bin set up)  You can raise up your beds using this stuff and then level the tops off with the back of the spade, to give you extra depth for parsnips, carrots, celeriac and celery etc    You don't have to grow everything on the level either, you can also use big containers. I like builders rubble sacks to use as raised beds, filled with kitchen waste, grass mowings, muck from the hens, etc etc. They take a while to fill but I've had some great results growing all manner of veg in them

[Trillium]

I started out with the same in my veg beds - hardpan below or just plain gravel depending on the area. I added as much muck and shredded leaves as I could get hold of, rotovated the lot in. then forked out any rocks, then scooped up path soil and heaped it into mounded beds. Every year I repeated the above, even driving through town in fall collecting bags of leaves. The soil depth is improving but it takes time.

I'm now doing actual boarded beds that are about 12" to 18" tall, 4'x8' so that I can grow more faster sooner. I fill these with bagged soil, muck, compost, peat (we still have good supplies here) and leaves and some lime.

And yes, you'll need to space things out a bit as there's no useful depth for the plants to reach down to so they'll need to run sideways. You might want to consider what is known by several names as no dig/lasagna/sandwich gardens. Its basically the same heaping principle of layering on good stuff which composts in place.

[mumofstig]

If the soil beneath is a clay hardpan, then it is worth while getting the fork in as far as you can and just loosen, even if it is too difficult to actually dig. This allows the roots some access and they will grow into it the more you work it

[8doubles]

A spade or forks depth deep in soil is known as a spit.....................








i`ve always wondered why !

[Vit]

What's under? Clay or sand? 

[Trillium]

Normally clay, but occasionally a gravel/sand mix (heavy on the gravel)

[Trillium]

A spade or forks depth deep in soil is known as a spit.....................

i`ve always wondered why !

Here you go, mum     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spit_(archaeology)

[8doubles]

I like this from the Wiki link,
 [T]he methodical digging for systematic information not with the upturning of earth in a hunt for bones of saints and giants or the armoury of heroes, or just plainly for treasure.[3]

I thought Archeological digs were for lil bits of broken pottery and roof tile.

Too much Timeteam !

If you need the plot dug deeper plant a few `Giant` bones and give them a call.