[Rampant_Weasel]

my first year of tunnel growing and where i have had some potato pots the soil underneath is all compacted.
so much so the spade nearly bounces off!.
anyone had this problem and know a solution? i know in the open the frost and rain would do it but what do u do in a tunnel ?

[sunshineband]

Give it a good soak first.

[Rampant_Weasel]

thx, just tried that and it all ran into the cracks!

[VegGirl7]

Give it a good soak first.

I agree 

I have a few sections on my plot that are/were really badly compacted - after a few days of really heavy rain they were much easier to dig 

[Amilo]

More water then cover it up with non porous membrane to stop the soil drying. 

[NickoV]

I agree to covering after wetting, makes a big difference.
I use a thick layer of compost aswell, and then a cover.The longer you leave it the better.
Water the compost and it acts a bit like a sponge, drip feeding moisture to the soil underneath.