[snow white]

I got hold of a brand spanking new allotment in November.  I have been spending lots of time carting manure, wood, shed, polytunnel, woodchip, bricks, membrane, etc, as well as digging when the weather and conditions allow.  BUT this has meant my brassica bed has not been touched at all.  The ground is nice and firm, but the soil is clay, with only a few grass type weeds that should come out easily enough.  I read that you should dig in autumn then not touch it till you plant so that the soil is firm.  I wanted to add some growmore or chicken pellets and rake them in but I am not sure if I will be able to rake the soil without digging.  What would you do with the soil?

[mumofstig]

A hoe should loosen the top enough for you to rake the pellets in - assuming we get some dry weather along the way 

[Goosegirl]

I don't dig my brassica bed, just scatter feed on and rake it in. You are only touching the top inch or so of soil - it is the lower part that needs to be firm; even then, when transplanting, I really put my weight via my hands on the area immediately around the seedling to firm it in well.