Topic: Digging starts...late but not too late!

[sandersj89]

Well finally this weekend I have made it to the new allotment to start work. Saturday dawned a bit on the damp side but by lunchtime it had cleared and the sun was out.

I had arranged to meet Tony the site chairman to sort out the spraying and to move the tarpaulin from the top half of the plot to the bottom where it will stay until autumn.

We moved the tarp first, plenty of frogs and even a slow worm hiding under it so they should help out on the slug side of things. The growth under the tarp is pretty thin and etiolated though there is signs of bind weed.

I then decided to attack a strip about 2 meters wide at the top edge of the plot. This was not covered by the tarp and was covered in large docks and dandelions. Even if sprayed the roots of these would need digging out. Some of the roots of the docks were easily pushing 3 foot!

The soil is not bad to be honest, on the heavy side but plenty of depth before I hit pure clay. The site has a gentle slop from one end to the other so drainage should not be too much of a problem. As I started to dig out the weeds more bindweed root became obvious and this slowed progress. This first plot will be used for some late potatoes, arran victory, a wigwam of sweet peas and some onion sets. Everything except the spuds will be widely spaced to make hoeing easier this year. The plot was used until 2 years ago so should be in hand in two years from now I am hoping.

Digging will continue down the plot over the next couple of weekends. I have completed a 2 meter strip. 8 meters more until I reach the edge of the tarp. The overall plot is about 20 meters by 10 meters. The next section of digging should be quicker as no massive docks/dandelions. Also there is a section in the middle about 4 meters across that was used as a bonfire last autumn. I have cleared the scarp iron and pottery. This area is devoid of weeds and most of the ash has been carted away. This will dig very well. I am hoping that with the addition of some lime it will be ideal for some Brussels. The reason I say that is that there is club root on the allotment and the bonfire should have had the effect of sterilizing the soil. Apparently it burnt for 3 weeks!!!

So progress has been made, sadly none today as it has been throwing it down here in sussex, mind you the sun has just come out again!!

You can see some pictures of the plot here:

http://community.webshots.com/user/sandersj89

Jerry

[legless]

wow its lovely - i'm excited for you! loved your full description too - i could read about people's allotments all day!

good luck with the digging!

[Garden Manager]

My, you certainly have some work to do there, but it will be worth it since the soil (minus weeds) looks pretty decent stuff. :)

Allotments certainly grow some weeds dont they. ;)

Shame about the clubroot though  :(

[sandersj89]

"Shame about the clubroot though "

I know, does anyone have any tips for growing brassicas in club root areas?

 I know there are chemical treatrments and have been thinking about growing sprouts for instance in reasonable sized holes filled with either sterile soil or compost with the hope that this will protect them.

Just an idea.

Jerry

[Doris_Pinks]

Jerry I too have clubroot :'( (must see the Dr!)  Am hoping a new area I have dug will be clubroot free! (please, please!) But I have been moderately sucessful with liming, and I did the old gardeners thing of planting the brassicas over a 1" piece of rhubarb, lost a few, but some of my greens are looking fairly healthy! ;D

[budgiebreeder]

You took the words out of my mouth DP re the Rhubarb.I have had Clubroot for several years so had given up on the brassicas,but on reading about the Rhubarb decided to give them a go this time so my fingers are crossed too.

[gilgamesh]

Club root - the mould is supposed to come out of dormancy and starve to death (or at least be greatly weakened) by planting the affected area with leeks. Alternatively, you could try plunging pots (big ones - bucket sized) filled with the previous years tomato growing medium., or using the "club root control" stuff, or lime, and grow in a trench, earthing up over a period to promote fresh root growth. Just remember to dispose of anything showing any sign of club root - like BURN it, never compost it.

[sandersj89]

Thanks guys.

I will try the various techniques. My feeling is that the bonfire site should also be fairly clear, at least for the first couple of years. I will also be growing my main leek crop on the allotment. 4 varities this year.

It will be interesting to see how things develop.

Digging will continue this evening, tomorrow looks a bit wet but I hope to get a couple of rows of Arran Victory in on Sunday with a few rows of red and white onion sets. They won't be huge at the end of the year but will keep well.

I will then dig 1 meter strips as I go sowing carrots and getting ready for the sprouts and sweet corn. The final edible crop this year will be a block of strawberries and maybe some parsnips.

Thanks again

Jerry