what to dig in when double digging

Quote from: "Rob the rake"

Seaweed, if you're anywhere near the coast.

Rob.

Does Surrey have a coast?

We donot have a coast line in MK,but they are planning to build a beach in a place called Woburn Sands.
I hope it all go's through then maybe I can get some seaweed for my veg.  

when you double dig you shouldnt dig anything in,whats the point in having all that muck/compost 2 spits down  :?

Hi, stranger! Where have you been hiding?

It's well worth putting sand or gravel in the bottom spit though, especially if your soil's a heavy one, or if drainage could do with a bit of help.

Rob.

I would guess that the trace elements in the seaweed are as important as it's manurial value DD.

Rob.

I didn't know that MKH. Tell me why?

Rob.

I didn't know that MKH. Tell me why?

Rob.

I have this discussion about 8 times a year,and even though I can prove that it is bad for the soil,so many lottie holders disagee that I have stoped trying to prove my point.

So instead I quote from the Soil Assc.( undated)
Only muck your soil thoroughly every three years or so as it is too nitrogen-rich for some plants and causes sappy growth and weak plants. Unquote.

This goes against a lot of people who claim that you can not manure too much if you add it each year.
I say you should have a 3 year plan adding lots of grit (if you are on clay )
and manure one year the next two should be for home made compost and again grit.
You should add nutrients every year as required and you should test your soil to find out its needs not just add because you only think what it might need.
There is too much reliance on manure and it is not necessarily the best thing for your plot every year.
There are other soil improvers available and they are better for the soil if used in a 3 year plan.
I know that some growers will now say that they have always manured every year and have never had any problems etc,but look at the failures some people have every year some of these could be down to over manuring.  

Quote from: "Rob the rake"

I didn't know that MKH. Tell me why?

Rob.

I have this discussion about 8 times a year,and even though I can prove that it is bad for the soil,so many lottie holders disagee that I have stoped trying to prove my point.

So instead I quote from the Soil Assc.( undated)
Only muck your soil thoroughly every three years or so as it is too nitrogen-rich for some plants and causes sappy growth and weak plants. Unquote.

This goes against a lot of people who claim that you can not manure too much if you add it each year.
I say you should have a 3 year plan adding lots of grit (if you are on clay )
and manure one year the next two should be for home made compost and again grit.
You should add nutrients every year as required and you should test your soil to find out its needs not just add because you only think what it might need.
There is too much reliance on manure and it is not necessarily the best thing for your plot every year.
There are other soil improvers available and they are better for the soil if used in a 3 year plan.
I know that some growers will now say that they have always manured every year and have never had any problems etc,but look at the failures some people have every year some of these could be down to over manuring.  

Make it a sticky, Henry.