[millierose]

Hello, we took over an allotment last July that had been marsh land up until Nov 2011, the people before us had dug over half which is Ok and we've got brassicas in. The other half that hasn't been touched is absolutely sodden, where we pulled out perennials, docks cooch grass etc and haven't been able to get it rotovated, there are puddles of water some as deep as 6 - 9".
Question is, the plan was to put manure down over the whole lot (including puddles) and then dig in or rotavate before hopefully, planting spuds next Spring. Should we still do this, or give up until it all dries out?

[mumofstig]

What has been done to drain the land - if it

had been marsh land up until Nov 2011

Have ditches or land drains been put in?

[millierose]

there is a trench at the back of the plot, running the whole way along site, I've started digging a small trench along one side, I think I'll have to dig it a bit deeper and longer to make sure the water drains into the larger trench I think.

[mumofstig]

That sounds like a good plan, cos I don't think it's do any good to add the manure while the plot is still so wet.

If the manure is well rotted you can add it as you plant the potatoes 

[grinling]

Dig several trenches about 2 -3 spade depth so slant downwards. I put shingle at the bottom of mine and refilled. Make sure that where the water runs off to cannot pool but run away. It has been a very wet year.

[ThePragmatist]

I have a similar problem. My plot is at the low point of the site and water tends to collect.

Drains and ditches as have been suggested are really good for directing the water away from your beds. They work best if you have somewhere to direct the water to. Is there anywhere you can put the water, perhaps you have a plot neighbour you don't like ? I don't really have anywhere good to send the water so I ended up making a soak away. A deep pit filled with rubble attached to my ditch that holds some of the water and allows it to disperse into the subsoil.

It isn't ideal as it only holds so much, and this year has been exceptionally wet, but something like that might help you if you can't get rid of the water entirely.

The other option suggested to me was to raise the beds to keep them clear of the water.

[Eblana]

My plot also suffered from water logging this year.  I dug a trench but unfortunately that caused most of the water to flow onto a neighbours plot who wasn't too happy with me

I have now changed the trench to a soak away (put all the stones that seem to be growing on the plot into it) and put in raised beds all over the plot which has helped a great deal

[millierose]

Yes there is a ditch at the back of our plot, they are planning to put some trenches in further over.
I think I'll start digging some trenches so water goes off to the back trench and wait to put the manure on.
Yes raised beds maybe another option, next year perhaps.
Thanks for the advice everyone.

[Yorkie]

I know that everyone rolls their eyes at health and safety, but if you are digging trenches or holes, then make sure you will never be in a position to trip into / over them.  A broken ankle - either yours or someone else's - is really not nice.

[ThePragmatist]

Even your foot in water just slightly higher than the top of your boot is pretty unpleasant/refreshing so Yorkie makes a good point!

[surbie100]

I definitely agree with that advice - the previous tenant for my plot dug many 'stealth' trenches that I've come a cropper over. Next year I will be making sure they are clearly marked/filled with shingle & stones.

[sunshineband]

I definitely agree with that advice - the previous tenant for my plot dug many 'stealth' trenches that I've come a cropper over. Next year I will be making sure they are clearly marked/filled with shingle & stones.

I have visions of him wriggling along these using his elbows for propulsion  peering over the perimeter from time to time through the potato foliage 

[surbie100]

 

[Yorkie]

I definitely agree with that advice - the previous tenant for my plot dug many 'stealth' trenches that I've come a cropper over. Next year I will be making sure they are clearly marked/filled with shingle & stones.

I have visions of him wriggling along these using his elbows for propulsion  peering over the perimeter from time to time through the potato foliage 

You forgot to mention his snorkel ... 

[mumofstig]

safest not to mention it, surely