[m1ckz]

hi all  is it too early to dig over and muck up empty plots  i have started but was told im too early  ty

[mumofstig]

Do it when you can/when you want to, I reckon 

[snowdrops]

Mum, I'd agree with that . If you wait for the right time it might not be the right time if you see what I mean

[LilacSandy]

Doing my beds as they empty, if it is as wet this winter as last year we will not be able to get onto the ground.

[beesrus]

I always dig any time of the year WHEN the soil moisture/texture is right for it, nothing to do with the time of year whatsoever, usually after a good fall of rain, given the loam I have. It's so much easier and efficient. Too dry or too wet, and it's a real pain with half the plot coming up with the weeds.

[cadalot]

I'm going to do green manure again, it worked well last year and those beds were really productive this year.

[marcofez]

I'm going to do green manure again, it worked well last year and those beds were really productive this year.

Which type of green manure did you use cadalot?

[Fairy Plotmother]

I was thinking of green manure and would also like to know which might be best for over the winter.

[kirpi]

Each bed gets dug over every six years in a 6-year rotation when I dig up the potatoes. Apart from that - no dig. I have a whole workforce of earthworms do that for me.

[Aunt Sally]

We like to get all the ground dug over and manured if necessary, before the end of December.

So, yes we start as soon as the ground is free for the year.

[m1ckz]

thank you all for replys   ill carry on what im doing   got a good lot of well rotted horse manure 

[cadalot]

I'm going to do green manure again, it worked well last year and those beds were really productive this year.

Which type of green manure did you use cadalot?

Last Year I used Mustard but I have also got Buckwheat and Phacelia to try this year, For a whole list and guidance on Green Manure see Johns information at http://www.allotment-garden.org/compost-fertiliser/green-manures.php and to see last years Mustard see my diary at http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=100234.msg1261869#msg1261869 it came up really quickly I was not worried about the frost killing it off because it's a short crop that you want to dig in anyway. The worms loved it and there were no signs of it the following year all taken into the soil

Bought seed from ebay - Premiere Seeds very cheap 

[Fairy Plotmother]

Thanks Cadalot. I'll look into that.

[marcofez]

Thanks Cadalot. I'll look into that.

I second that cadalot, cheers!

[devonbarmygardener]

I'm going to do green manure again, it worked well last year and those beds were really productive this year.

Which type of green manure did you use cadalot?

Last Year I used Mustard but I have also got Buckwheat and Phacelia to try this year, For a whole list and guidance on Green Manure see Johns information at http://www.allotment-garden.org/compost-fertiliser/green-manures.php and to see last years Mustard see my diary at http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=100234.msg1261869#msg1261869 it came up really quickly I was not worried about the frost killing it off because it's a short crop that you want to dig in anyway. The worms loved it and there were no signs of it the following year all taken into the soil

Bought seed from ebay - Premiere Seeds very cheap

I grew 'mustard caliente' last year and like cadalot said - there's no sign of it coming back this year.
I did get a lot of weeds growing through it over winter, but it's been the most weed-free bed this year!