[davethespread]

can anyone help please? i planted 4 rhubarb crowns this spring when i got my allotment.i planted them in the corner three foot either way between plants all had compost in the holes first and a dressing of manure.the two on the inside of the plot went crazy but the two on the outside by the narrow path dissecting mine and alberts plot next door,have stayed quite small compared to the other two.they were all treated the same, any ideas?

           cheers,dave.

[grumpydad]

has the path ever been treated with a weedkiller that may still be in the soil ?

[davethespread]

hi grumpydad i can relate to that name,not to my knowledge no,and everything else has grown up that side.i only took the plot over in march and when i dug there was signs of a bonfire there;burnt matress springs,boot soles half burnt that sort of thing,do you think that may have done it.

[grumpydad]

possibly, if plastics and rubber has been burnt, then maybe there is some sort of toxic residue in the soil, that is affecting the rhubarb crowns. usually wood ash is good because of the potash, so if the plants are not growing there must be something there.

martyn