[Nige2Plots]

A quick question. Do you rotovate only where you are sowing seeds or do you rotovate your entire plot?
 Me, I never rotovate as I sow all my seeds in trays first!

[mumofstig]

The OBs rotovated my plot to 'turn all the annual weeds in' for me
They think it's a quick way of weeding while the plot is empty, I suppose.

[totalnovice]

I dig over my plot in the winter (well thats the plan, it's still only part done) and then rotovate around now - that way it gets rid of nasty weeds, like dandilions and docks, nettles and couchgrass, but the rotovating gives a nice finish and finer texture for sowing seeds

[andy135]

Doesn't rotovating chop up all your worms?

[upert]

it discombobulates them to be sure, as for chop i paid close attention and rarely saw one actually torn asunder.

[Paul Plots]

I dig over my plot in the winter (well thats the plan, it's still only part done) and then rotovate around now - that way it gets rid of nasty weeds, like dandilions and docks, nettles and couchgrass, but the rotovating gives a nice finish and finer texture for sowing seeds

Are you sure it gets rid of them and doesn't chop all the roots into lots of bits each one of which could grow into a new plant?  :blink: 

I winter dig and remove all the weeds that are likely to regrow if left whilst digging the others in.

Around about now I rotovate most of the plot so the soil is wonderfully fine for sowing and planting.

[Gandan57]

I don`t rotavate as I don`t want to give my worms a hard time. But on our allotments  a lot of the plot holders seem to be obsessed by it.
All through late autumn and winter every time I went to the plot somebody seemed to be trying to rotavate even though they wouldn`t be planting anything for weeks.
Even with the dryish weather we`ve had recently, rotavating just brings up the wet soil from underneath, totally unsuitable for sowing seeds in.

[muckshifter]

I dig mine as ground becomes vacant and started rotovating yesterday ready to start planting out some brassicas.

[Paul Plots]

I dig mine as ground becomes vacant and started rotovating yesterday ready to start planting out some brassicas.

Probably a daft question but don't brassicas like very firm / compact soil to sink their roots into?

[needssomehelp]

some people are not physically able to dig over a whole plot so rotovating is the best choice, i rotavate, i am also waiting for a knee replacement, but i think i would be using a machine with or without a dodgy knees, as for the worms id rather give them a "hard time" than me lol. i think is personal preference, i would rather spend the hot summer days hoeing the weeds than killing myself in the cold damp winter/spring digging and pulling them up. as i say i think its just personal preference 

[DD.]

I dig mine as ground becomes vacant and started rotovating yesterday ready to start planting out some brassicas.

Probably a daft question but don't brassicas like very firm / compact soil to sink their roots into?

No, not daft, but spot on. Last thing brassicas want is soil rotavated to a fine tilth. I go the opposite way and run a heavy lawn roller over the bit where I plant mine.

[ferreter51]

I dig mine as ground becomes vacant and started rotovating yesterday ready to start planting out some brassicas.

Probably a daft question but don't brassicas like very firm / compact soil to sink their roots into?

No, not daft, but spot on. Last thing brassicas want is soil rotavated to a fine tilth. I go the opposite way and run a heavy lawn roller over the bit where I plant mine.

I've been marching my size 12s up and down the brassicas bed for weeks.  Ten minutes every day and it's very firm by now.

[Kristen]

When my Beans come out in the Autumn I spread some muck on the top and that's it. Just plant the Brassicas straight into that come the spring. (Although I might do a bit of Size-12 marching too ...)

[wozza]

I dig mine as ground becomes vacant and started rotovating yesterday ready to start planting out some brassicas.

Probably a daft question but don't brassicas like very firm / compact soil to sink their roots into?

No, not daft, but spot on. Last thing brassicas want is soil rotavated to a fine tilth. I go the opposite way and run a heavy lawn roller over the bit where I plant mine.

I've been marching my size 12s up and down the brassicas bed for weeks.  Ten minutes every day and it's very firm by now.

Best bet then is not to dig the soil at all for Brassica's ?   

[DD.]

Depends on the state of the weeds, but yes, sometimes done that.