[fatbelly]

I have just taken over a full allotment and the previous owner said he had terrible Clubroot and couldn't grow any brassicas because of it.

I borrowed a soil PH test meter today and tested across the whole plot the soil was acidic with one area giving a reading of 5.1, but most of the plot was around 6.4.

Could the soil PH be encouraging the clubroot and if I Lime how much will it help.

One last question, I am thinking of buying a PH meter for the soil, anyone got any recommendations.

[Yorkie]

Clubroot is a fungal disease, see RHS advice here.

Liming will help reduce the impact of the disease, but bear in mind that it takes time to achieve plot-wide reduction of acidity, and other plants will not appreciate you adding lots of lime.

The best advice is to a) grow clubroot resistant varieties [doesn't prevent it but makes its impact less], b) start your plants off in modules in clean compost until they have a really decent size rootball, and c) dust the planting hole with lime.

Chemical soil pH testers are generally said to be more reliable than the metal probe types.

[fatbelly]

Thanks Yorkie, your advice is really useful 

[Babstreefern]

With my brassicas, I always start them off in modules/trays with clean compost, and then when I go to plant them I always put lime in the hole, and when they're in, I also put some around the the plant itself on top of the soil.

I have a PH tester which I use to read the ground.  I've used the chemical type as well, but when you need to test a whole plot, it can bet a bit expensive - at £2.00 a shot.

All it gives is a ball-park figure, which the chemical test does as well.

[Kleftiwallah]

Or pot on your brassica seedings into a bigger pot and allow them to get a good root system in good clean soil/compost before finally planting them in your allotment.   Cheers,   Tony.

[spot1986]

Perlka may be the answer, rather expensive though.

[peapod]

Further to Yorkies excellent advice, Digger Dave has suffered with clubroot for years (well his plot I mean  )

He has successfully grown Clapton Cauliflowers, and is over the moon. I grew them too on a none clubroot plot, and they are great.

[fatbelly]

Further to Yorkies excellent advice, Digger Dave has suffered with club root for years (well his plot I mean  )

He has successfully grown Clapton Cauliflowers, and is over the moon. I grew them too on a none clubroot plot, and they are great.

I took the advice of posters on here and I have already ordered a packet of Clapton Cauliflowers and also a packet of cabbage called Kilton  that are club root restaurant.
Thanks to all.