[mickwood]

Not happy...ah well....confession....

Red Wine the night before.... 

Just bought John's book!!

[Jay Dubya]

Hi, is this the green wellie brigade i keep hearing about.

[mickwood]

Hi, is this the green wellie brigade i keep hearing about.

erm....what's the 'green wellie brigade' all about then?? 

[Parsnip]

I've no idea either Mick....

Good on you for diggiung the Plot with a hangover - it's the perfect cure I find..

[woodburner]

So, if I cover the grass it will die so it won't need clearing? I could dig it over straight away? Won't it just grow back and cause more problems, like weeds?

It will die, even couch grass, but it does take time. I grew no dig potatoes over couch grass and bindweed last year (Cardboard, well rotted manure on top, plant tatties into manure and cover with straw and eventually grass clippings) and was impressed with how little couch grass and bindweed made it through. Come the autumn (having pulled up the couch and bindweed as it came through) there was very little left, and the soil is lovely and crumbly now having forked in the manure as I harvested the tatties in the autumn.

(sorry I am a novice - completely and utterly! lol!)

and...FYM?...Farm Yard Manure? I can get hold of well rotted horse manure for next year 

Nothing to apologise for at all! and yes farm yard manure.

Actually, if you can get it this year and it's pyralid free, you could try the no dig potatoes too.

[mickwood]

Thanks! I'll keep an eye out for the 'no dig tatties' 

If I do dig it over do I just turn it over and pick out the clumps of grass/roots by hand...and I presume pop them into a compost bin?

[crowndale]

Its amazing how words mean different things to different people isn't it?  Now, to me, 'cleared' would have meant weed free and truned over but to another it obviously means took my spade and fork home with me!  Have fun clearing it properly!  I'd think if its had livestock roaming on it then while the soil will be in good condition from the poo it may well be quite compacted so need a very thorough dig.  Also looked quite shady, might be worth (if you have time) doing a sun survey to see where the sun lies on the plot at certain times of the day so you get the best out of the crops you plant.

[mickwood]

I'd think if its had livestock roaming on it then while the soil will be in good condition from the poo it may well be quite compacted so need a very thorough dig.  Also looked quite shady, might be worth (if you have time) doing a sun survey to see where the sun lies on the plot at certain times of the day so you get the best out of the crops you plant.

I've dug it over to the depth of  spade, is that enough? Should I try and get a rotovator on it? I've managed to dig 2 'beds' approx 4m x 2m each and as I said to a depth of a spade. Was hoping to pop in some onions, spuds and broad beans...is it too late to put garlic in?

I've checked the sun and the lotty is in the shade in the morning but catches the sun in the late morning/afternoon - any hints and tips welcomed wholeheartedly!!! 

[sunshineband]

That's a look of determination if ever I saw one - hope you enjoy your birthday!