[greenockian]

Last summer I persuaded the farmer who owns the ground behind my small gerden to let me cultivate a vegetable plot since the ground had not been used in the 30 years I have been in the house. He let me have a small plot about 10 x 6 metres.

I spent last summer digging out brambles, whin bushes etc and loads of couch grass. I have creates several beds 1metre x 4 metres and have managed to get them to a fine tilth. I know that these narrow beds are to prevent you standing on the ground and that is fine by me. However, going back to my teenage years when I used to help in my mothers garden she insisted that the brassica bed was firmly trod on so that the cabbages and sprouts would form a good heart.

Does this still hold true. Should this bed be firmed with my feet or do I not stand on the ground.

[peapod]

Welcome to the forums greenockian

It needs to be firm, and if the only way to do this is by your feet then yes, you need to stand on the ground 

[paintedlady]

What is your soil like?  Sandy or clay?  If sandy, then firming the soil in the entire bed with your feet is probably a good idea.  As for clay soil, I've had good results just firming the soil round the base of the plant when planting out (using my boot heel or even hands) 

[peapod]

What is your soil like?  Sandy or clay?  If sandy, then firming the soil in the entire bed with your feet is probably a good idea.  As for clay soil, I've had good results just firming the soil round the base of the plant when planting out (using my boot heel or even hands) 

Ive got clay soil too paintedlady. Hand firming didnt work for me  - perhaps Im a weakling 

[greenockian]

^{What is your soil like?  Sandy or clay?}

I am lucky, the soil is good loam.