[mham73]

Hello all!

I took on a 12'x60' plot last sping and managed to get some decent spuds, carrots and beetroot before taking a (now regretable) break from around November to Feb, so there was no autumn digging or manuring.  I've spent a few days recently digging over the whole plot and planning this year's veg and decided to try some brasiccas.  Unfortunately I've now read that they need lots of organic matter worked in in the autumn and a really firm bed, whereas mine is almost springy having just single dug it!  I'm sure the soil is quite rich as last year's carrots & spuds were huge but is it even worth trying brassicas?

I'm thinking I could add plenty of blood, fish & bone and then maybe try and firm down the section by walking on a piece of flat cardboard or wood to try and compact it a bit.  Is this closing the stable door too late?

Any tips would be greatly appreciated 

[Rampant_Weasel]

yea go for it  m8, i always dig my whole plot in the spring to let the birds on it to eat the grubs etc b4 i plant. as long as u tread down around the plant i think you will be fine.

[Ropster]

stick them in they will be fine
you could rake some peleted chicken manure in as Brassica's like that for the nitrogen

[greg.t]

don't worry mate l did the same last year and still managed to get a good crop just feed well during the course of the year....

[paintedlady]

Don't forget to "firm in" the soil after planting (brassicas really don't tolerate loose soil round their roots ... tell tale signs are purple discolouration in the leaves) and don't worry - your brassicas will be fine.  A few years ago I shared some brassica seedlings with my friends, and they then decided to dig a new bed (sandy soil), piled in loads of (fresh!) manure, and their sprouts ended up bigger than mine    Seemed to go right against the grain of how you are supposed to do things!

[mham73]

Excellent, that's what I wanted to hear 

The 'just go for it' approach worked well last year but after reading the Fruit & Veg Expert book I started to panic!

Thanks for the quick replies
Cheers
M

[noshed]

Keep an eye on them after you've planted and keep firming them in, even earthing them up slightly. They like a firm hand.