[Flying Cyril]

I dont mind the rain, it's the wind that gets me. 40 cabbage seedlings, 10 cauli's, 5 tomatoes & 25 marigolds all lost due to the wind blowing my  Focus  do-it-all thingy over. I though I'd take notice of the seed packets and get an early start in my 2nd year but I think I'll wait unlil the wind dies down and start in April/May like last year.
"Flying" Cyril.

[WG.]

I'd love to see you posting on http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=2638

 

[earthmagic fairy]

i could cry     cause of the weather i have 3 plots in a clay soil area it is like a swimming pool  i feel like giving up ........ i am doing it on my own is there any one out there that can give me a quick idea of how to condition my soil with out it costing anything  or very little i know there is hard work in volved but i have very little money to make raised beds the raised beds i have have been made out of wood from a skip i do compost but not quick enough to condition 3 plots ?

bloom where you are planted

[muntjac]

can you get loads of manure dumped for free from stables around your area . do you have a zoo or wildlife park there . same again about topsoil is there building works going on around you that you can get it from ... think cheeky ask for it scrounging is  the way ahead fairy x above all dont give up,  werk what bit you can gradually adding what you can to it , call the council ask about  them dumping leaves on the plot. if you see a pile of soil stood in agrden ask about it .is there a green recycling place  that sells the stuff like it does here £ 30 for a 20 ton load if memory serves ,,.......,good luck and remember we are all behind ya    

[WG.]

i have very little money to make raised beds  

There, there.  Don't cry.  Good advice from Muntjac as always but if you do struggle to get enough organic material, then I'm a believer in improving small pockets as a first stage.

Before planting crops such as potatoes, winter cabbage and courgette, prepare/improve a pocket of soil to receive each tuber / or transplant.  The area between the pockets needs only to be kept roughly hoed until the crop foliage is sufficient to suppress weed growth.

You can include sand and gypsum in your shopping list for improving clay.

[John]

Green manures are pretty useful. If nothing else they force you into digging over. With clay, check the pH - a good dose of lime helps it break up.

Clay is so hard (sure you're not on our site?) but it's a good growing medium if you can get it into good form.

Deep beds are useful with waterlogged soil as well,

[WHITE LADY]

also you could dig some drains in,good tip for the zoo poo i am gonna give them a ring later, thanks muntjac

[earthmagic fairy]

many many thanks all very good advice i will  take it all on board it has helped loads i will contact the zoo and farms etc  i did lime some beds so i am on the right track , blessing to you all its nice to know that i have support  xxx