[Nicki85]

Hi all,

Before Christmas- early December I put a layer of farmyard manure on my plot.  It's pretty well rotted in most places but some bulkier bits of straw still left in lumps.  I've spread it all over so it's about an inch to two inches thick.  The plot measures 25m by 6m... Oh and i've left a patch with out for roots.

I'm keen to hire a rotavator and get it all mixed in but not sure when the best time would be... Can I do it say next weekend?  Or am I best waiting till the end of feb and hoping the weather has improved?  

Also, which would I be best off hiring  (all petrol)??

5hp Soil Tiller   
8hp Rotavator
13hp Rotavator wheel driven   
9hp Power Harrow wheel driven   170x65cm

The soil is OK, quite stony... but we do have london clay and the starts at varying depths from say 1ft to 3ft.  

Any thoughts appreciated!  

[Aunt Sally]

Never dig or rotavate if the soil is very cold or frozen !

[Yorkie]

Or very soggy.

[gobs]

You cannot even do this until soil is dry.

Hire one you feel comfortable using. It can be hard work, I'm worning you.

[Nicki85]

So, need to wait a bit then- leave as late as possible?  When would you guys rotavate?

What will happen if I rotavate when it's soggy/ cold etc?  Will it all just turn into one big clumpy mess?  (yup, soil management novice here!)

And don't tell me it's hard work- it will put me off!!!!

[Aunt Sally]

If it's soggy you'll compact it into solid rock   

If it's frozen you'll turn the frozen soil deep into the ground and it will take longer to warm up in spring.

[gobs]

So, need to wait a bit then- leave as late as possible?  When would you guys rotavate?

What will happen if I rotavate when it's soggy/ cold etc?  Will it all just turn into one big clumpy mess?  (yup, soil management novice here!)

And don't tell me it's hard work- it will put me off!!!!

Possibly frequent stalling of the machine, but also no result.

[Nicki85]

Hmm... there is a thought, i've got to start the thing first 

[DD.]

I have never rotovated.

After seeing they way some of my fellow plot holders struggle with the machines, I'll stick with digging.

Less work.

[Nicki85]

Oh no don't spoil my fun    I've been all excited since putting the manure down with the thought of playing with a rotavator!  (mumbles something about people needing to get out more...  )

[gavinjconway]

I was advised not to rotavate as it cuts up the bad perennial weed roots and plants all the pieces to grow in vengence for being chopped up..

[Nicki85]

Most of it has been double dug to remove couch and bindweed before the manure went down.  I've recently taken the paths up and have been pretty careful about getting all the roots out!!
It's just a case of getting the manure all dug in now...

[gobs]

Anyway, Aprilish, nicky, whenever it's dry like.

[Ice]

It's just a case of getting the manure all dug in now...

Then patience is a virtue young grasshopper. 

Yes, I watched too much 70's tv.

[gavinjconway]

Most of it has been double dug to remove couch and bindweed before the manure went down.  I've recently taken the paths up and have been pretty careful about getting all the roots out!!
It's just a case of getting the manure all dug in now...

ok - makes sense..