[Aunt Sally]

I'm growing swedes on my allotment, but was told yesterday by a grower there that swedes don't grow well on our site.  They become very hard and woody due to a lack of boron in the soil.

I really MUST give him a lovely, edible swede at harvest time  :!:

Urgent treatment needed now I think.  How can I boost the boron   :?:

[WG.]

1 oz borax per 20 sq yds before planting - don't overdose.

Personally, I thought boron was one of the trace elements that got locked-up when something else was missing??   Not sure though - might be worth a google.

Can you grow cauliflower 'cos they need boron too?

[Aunt Sally]

Thanks WG.  I think I'll need to read up a bit for next year as it seems boron is toxic to many plants if over dosed  :evil:

http://www.agric.nsw.gov.au/reader/general-dis/boron-def-pastures.pdf

This site seems to have a lot of info.  I'll give it a good read.

Don't know about the caulis on our site, I'll have to ask.

Sunfloweres are a good indicator plant. Perhaps I'll pop a few of those in first  

[WG.]

Doc Hessayon mentions repeat sprayings with Fillip as a cure for cauli but I've never heard of Fillip.

Plenty of compost is the real answer IMHO

[Aunt Sally]

The plot we have taken over has been fallow for 4 years so is in reasonable heart.  Not had a chance to build up a supply of compost yet.  We skimmed the grass and weeds of the top and piled it up under black polythene. Its rotting down a treat, it might be ready for next spring.

Fillip is/was a foliar feed.

[mkhenry]

Hi Aunty I have just posted  some info about Goggle.I am going away again for a few days so I will not be around to answer any questions.So can I leave you with the details. its goggle earth and then click on goggle direct x.Type in the post code and the earth will spin around to GB and then zoom in on your choosen target.You can see birds eye views of almost any part of England but not so much of Wales and Scotland.You will be surprised if you have never seen this site before.Henry
Some local councils use this type of view to see whats going on in your garden  :?  they have more up to date pictures though. :shock: Bye the Bye you can actually see the sheep in aussy land