[paintedlady]

the plant was surronded with a mixture of compost, lime and eggshells ground down finely

I've been adding finely ground eggshell, but I haven't figured out why.  Calcium?  But what does it do - change the soil pH?  Or it it a nutrient that brassicas need?

[Falcon_man]

[/QUOTE]So only plant well established plants coming from a good source, and put a collar of lime around each one. Replace the lime if washed out (another good tip.) and watch out for signs of wilt.

Does this mean that it is not recommended to plant swede or turnips straight into the ground? Thiswas going to be my plan but now thinking I need to start them off first. Just don't have much space to start them off :-(

[cudders]

I'm just digging over where my brassicas will be going. The ground has had alot of burning in the past as I'm digging up burn bits and nails etc.

I've also just had a nice fire and have a pile of burnt debris.

I've heard that burnings are very alkaline and good for Brassicas. Is this true?

Should I still lime or is that overkill?

Thanks,

Cudders

[paintedlady]

Should I still lime or is that overkill?

Perhaps see if you can get a pH soil tester just to be sure

[gobs]

Yes, without Ph knowledge it's a guesswork, my guess is that it probably won't be an overkill if your soil is neutral to acidic, or sandy, loamy.

Just don't put too much, in case you want to murder me afterwards. :roll:  

Falcon, turnips and swedes are best sown in situ, lime for them.

[cudders]

Right ok thanks.

Think I'll get a kit to be sure.

If I do need to lime, should it be dug in or left on top and dig in prior to planting?

I intend to raise my brassicas in pots first and plant out maybe May. I will be adding lime to the surface as suggested too when planting.

Cudders

[Falcon_man]

Cheers gobs.
Thought so but then started reading the above and was a bit worried.

[paintedlady]

If I do need to lime, should it be dug in or left on top and dig in prior to planting?

I don't think it matters too much. I might be inclined to just sprinkle on top now and dig in a couple of weeks before I was ready to plant.  Mind you, between now and May, you might find yourself with a flush of weeds so you could find yourself partly digging it in anyway.