[little sweetpeas]

Due to the problems this year with manure our site isn't getting any this Autumn so what can we do to help keep the soil in tip top condition.

Chicken manure pellets, kitchen garden trenches???

With regretI won't have much home compost to use but this Autumn i'm going to build some compost bins at the top of my plot.

[digital_biscuit]

Leaf Mould - I go about my local area "borrowing" the bagged up leaves and take them down the plot!

Green Manure - Stick in some mustard or clover or one of the many others.

Dig a Trench - I know you said that, but i would recommend it! Throw in your kitchen waste along with all your allotment compostable waste!

I too am having to do this as my manure was contaminated and i dont want to run the risk of having the same problems again!!

hope that helps a little!

[little sweetpeas]

Leaf Mould - I go about my local area "borrowing" the bagged up leaves and take them down the plot!

Green Manure - Stick in some mustard or clover or one of the many others.

Dig a Trench - I know you said that, but i would recommend it! Throw in your kitchen waste along with all your allotment compostable waste!

I too am having to do this as my manure was contaminated and i dont want to run the risk of having the same problems again!!

hope that helps a little!

Yes it does -very much

Can i just have a pile of leaves in say the blue rubble sacks, (have some) or do i have to make something?

Green manure are they all easy to dig in you say musturd and clover do you end up with it year after year.

[digital_biscuit]

Leaves - i leave these in a compost bin, they rot down and after 2 years they are apparently very good for giving the ground that perfect composition. Not so great for nutrient value though i'm afraid. You can also use it after the first year as a mulch.

Green Manure - I only know what to do with the mustard, and you dig it into the ground before it goes to seed, that way it doesnt come back. I know nothing about the others though

Digi

[Bombers]

little sweetpeas said  

Yes it does -very much

Can i just have a pile of leaves in say the blue rubble sacks, (have some) or do i have to make something?

Leaf mulch is a great soil improver. But if you want to store in sacks, try cheap black bin liners and make plenty of little holes in them with your fork. 2 years later, you'll have some luuuuuuvrly stuff!!  

[SG6]

I have just bought 2 large tubs of pelleted chicken manure and scattered half a tub over my patch (small), then dug it in.

Used fair bit more then was the reccommendation but I still have a tub and a half left so plenty more if I decide to have another go later in the year.

Since not all manure is contaminated could you not go visit a stables or somewhere?

As has been said leaves take a couple of years to rot down.

[little sweetpeas]

I have just bought 2 large tubs of pelleted chicken manure and scattered half a tub over my patch (small), then dug it in.

Used fair bit more then was the reccommendation but I still have a tub and a half left so plenty more if I decide to have another go later in the year.

Since not all manure is contaminated could you not go visit a stables or somewhere?

As has been said leaves take a couple of years to rot down.

They've said as they can't tell us the source is safe then they are not selling it this year. Some of the manure around here was affected although if they could find another supplier and was sure it was safe then we might get some.

It's a risk that many don't want to take