[hellebore]

My local farmer has just given me a plot of land approximately 40feet square to rent as an allotment. Until last week the area was used to keep pigs. There is not a blade of grass on it, with the amount of rain we have had recently combined with the snuffling and traffic from the pigs it resembles a mud bath. I dont intend to plant anything until next year to let the weather work on the fresh pig manure but I would like to use the winter months to mark it out also I feel that the soil needs something digging into to to improve it's structure. We have lovely sandy loam here but the actions of the pigs haven't done it any good. Any advice would be most welcome but I should add that I am currently working on a very tight budget!

[Goosegirl]

I would measure your plot then draw a scale plan on paper as to what you want to do and where. Then I'd double-dig over your intended beds to provide drainage lower down, break up the soil and also let the air in. You would need something to stand on for your paths until it dries out such as planking or heavy duty cardboard on top of polythene such as used growbags or feed bags. I should think the pig manure would have added plenty of nutrients and structure to your soil and, with a sandy loam, you should be laughing next year but if you can get anything bulky like well-rotted manure it will all help. Good growing!!

[hellebore]

Many thanks. Cant get on it until next week when farmer has divided it so intend to measue and make plan then. Have got a good source of well rotted horse manure but will that not make it too rich with pig stuff as well?

[Salmo]

I imagine that what the pigs have left behind will be sufficient manuring for several years. The problem will probably be that it is too fertile for some crops.

The pigs should have rooted out any couch grass. I would let it dry out a little and then either dig or rotovate it. Will your farmer do an initial cultivation for you?

[Babyshoes]

My initial thought is that you want to stop weeds growing on it until you can get actual crops into it - so perhaps something like weed suppressant fabric (expensive) or a mulch of old straw or even something like corrugagted cardboard might help, or perhaps you might like to sow a 'green manure' crop. Growing green manure will also give you an idea of how fertile the ground is, and stop the exposed soil being washed away in the winter rain, especially if there is a slope to the land.

Once the ground is protected, you can get on with the planning and digging you need to do over the winter. Now is a great time to get an allotment, (we got ours about a year ago) as you have all winter to work on it, so it is ready to go come the planting season. You might also want to just grow a quick crop of salad leaves or similar now before the first frosts, so you feel you have had something out of it already when you are doing all the hard work! Our lettuces lasted with a bit of fleece right into December - my parents visited at Christmas and we were picking it then.  We also put our garlic in about this time last year, and seeing the little green spikes pushing up through the worst of the weather was a real inspiration to keep digging. I am not sure if your soil is too rich for garlic though - might be worth a try anyway, 'risk it for a biscuit' as they say!

[bailey]

hiya you say farmer has to divide it? is it part of a bigger area that perhaps farmer may run a plough or similar across it?

it will still need spade work but it will break it up better then you can with a spade and if he ploughs fairly deep it will help drain it before you start..

[hellebore]

Thank you both. Can't get plough onto plot. The immediate area is divided into pig runs approx 80' by 80' and the hole in the hedge isn't bid enough for anything larger than a wheelbarrow. I will certainly look into the green manure, as you say, it will stop the soil washing away and give an indication of fertility. I have found a site that sells a special winter mix. My biggest problem is that we live on the edge of the pennines and get above average rainfall, which, combined with the actions of the pigs has resulted in it turning into a mire. The last remaining pigs are going  on Wednesday so I imagine once they stop walking over it  matters will improve. During brief dry spells last year I noted that the soil developed deep cracks, hopefully the green manure will resolve this. I am quite an experienced gardener but have never deal with anything like so really do appreciate your help. If today's rain ever stops I will nip down and take a photo' then you can see the extent of the problem. Thanks again.  Hellebore

[Babyshoes]

If it is developing cracks in dry weather then it sounds like you need a goodly amount of soil conditioner to hold water in dry times and drain it in the wet - mulch, green manure dug in, compost, leaf mold, straw etc. Maybe even something sandy(?) Does the farmer have old bedding straw or similar that you could have, and dig it in while you are digging the plot over?

I am sure an expert will come along shortly and give you more advice based on their own experiences - as I said I have only had an allotment for a year, but have read a lot about allotments and my advice here is based on that, and what I think I would do...

[Christine]

You've listed things that I have had to do Babyshoes as mine dries out in the warmth and keeps water in when there is continuous rain.

It's a long job to get it right as it takes time to get hold of the things to dig in mind.