Picture posting is enabled for all :)
My allotment is basically an old river bed! As a result the soil is still clayey despite the addition, over many years, of manure and compost. I have a fairly powerful rotavator and am eager to turn it over to start planting but conditions never seem right. It is either too wet (even after a few days without rain) or, if we have a slightly longer dry spell, it rapidly turns into concrete. Anyone had a similar frustrating experience or know a way around the problem. The way things are going this year my spuds will never get planted!!
Similar story to Nick really.Our site used to be a brick works....I dug out lumps of clay you could've made a pot out of!
My heart goes out to you guys!My suggestion to you guys is dig/ rotovate your plots in the autumn leaving the ground surface quite rough to let the frost into it, then in spring with a bit of luck your soil will only require a bit of tickling up with the tiller.
Definitely believe you need the extra horsepower, not from rotovating or ploughing but from the other end of the horse!
Quote from: ancellsfarmer on April 06, 2016, 19:46:48Definitely believe you need the extra horsepower, not from rotovating or ploughing but from the other end of the horse!Massively thick mulches of grass are about the only thing that works here. We used to have access to the rear end stuff, but the local gentlemen farmers now want 1.50 for a bag, so that's out. But where I had a thick mulch it is easier to dig. Put 3 inches of grass on in autumn and by spring you can't even see it anymore. I have no idea where that stuff goes but it does help the heaviness of the soil.
Nice video ......... definitely n o t clay soil they are digging. Love the 'stereo' dig PS I broke my 8 year old Spears and Jackson Alu and Stainless Steel fork that came with a ten year guarantee. Rusted right through, didn't know stainless could rust. But the good thing is that although the shop where I bought it, is no longer there, they are honouring the guarantee and a new fork will be here in a couple of weeks. Borrowing MIL's edging fork atm (Lady's fork) and it is so tiny!
as i have a bad back i always use a ladys fork and a ladies spade and hand dig the whole plot 3 times a year winter spring and autumn i wont leave home without them lol