[Harrys Dad]

Hello - I'm fairly new to growing my own and I fear i may be a little late this year to get the new allotment underway. I have a few quesitons I'd really appreciate some help with!

My soil is very heavy, I am going to put in a few raised beds to give carrots and parsnips a go - is there anything I can add to the heavy soil to improve it - I do have some some top soil to add to the beds.

What to grow. Last year I managed to get Swede in and they were OK. I was a littl elate with sprotes and the Savoy just got eaten alive. I was going to plant Swede, Parsnip, Carrots and Leaks and Sprots. although I only have seedlings for Leaks - Am I too late :? .....

[DD.]

Not too late for brassicas, if you can lay you hands on some plants. I sowed some carrots in late June last year & they were a reasonable crop,  so get some of them in.

Parsnips may not be too late, they may not make such large ones though, but it's better than nothing.

Nothing ventured & all that!

[Lee1978]

Dig in plenty of well rotted manure, carrots and parsnips don't like manured ground so stick with your raised beds (i grow mine in barrels filled with riddled soil, sand and compost). Hope this is of some help