Rotavate or dig?

[tonysharpe]

I've got an allotment (9m X 18m) in the Matlock area of Derbyshire (just behind a pub which is great when i'm on it in the summer afternoon's!). But at this time of year i'm never sure of whether to dig in the shed loads of horse manure i have access to....or to rotavate it in. Are there are 'golden rules' re this topic (bearing in mind im 50 next birthday and my back's not getting any stronger!) Is digging accepted as 'better' for the soil....or what? Any comments would be welcomed. :)

[tonysharpe]

[the_snail]

Depends in the quality of the soil. If there is alot of perenial weeds in it then I would say dig for the first time a little bit each time. Taking out all the perenial roots.

Then the next time you can rotorvate because there are no perenial roots for the rotavator to break up and make new plants from.

There is a rule that it is better to dig because it is kinder to the worms and the soil but I would like to say if you have a large area then it is kinder to your back the rotorvate.

The_Snail

[growmore]

Rotovate it in,Have  the machine on half throttle max..that way it turns it in steady
cheers .jim

[the_snail]

If the plot is reasonable clear then like growmore said rotorvate it in.

The_Snail

[Moggle]

Is it really necessary to dig it in even? Just spread it out on the top and let the wormies work it all in over the winter.

[wardy]

Oh let the worms take it in.  Why do hard work if you don't have to, especially if you have a dodgy back.  I think men are obsessed with rotovators and big equipment in general. Wonder why that is  ;D

You could cover it over with black sheet mulch which makes life easier as you don't have to worry about weeds then - you can worry about sommat else or go to the nearby pub which sounds much more fun

I'm near you near Chesterfield and I don't dig AT ALL  :)

[john_miller]

Is digging accepted as 'better' for the soil....or what? Any comments would be welcomed. :)

Rotavating is seen as being so detrimental to soil that it is prohibited for anyone aspiring to organic certification. It destroys soil structure and aerates the soil so much that it accelerates the breakdown of organic matter. This can result in nutrients being lost into groundwater as pollution instead of being bound up on soil particles for later use by plants. This loss will also reduce the ability of the soil to retain moisture as far more moisture is held in the open structure of organic matter than on the surface of soil particles. Additionally, this loss will also increase the likelihood of the soil suffering compaction damage as organic matter is more resilient to loads.

[keef]

Digging is always going to be better, if you can be arsed. I never rotervate as digging keeps you much fitter!
Be wary of horse manure, make sure its been well rotted first (2 years at least) or else you'll have loads of thistles, proper cow shiiite is much better if you can get it.

[terrace max]

Why do hard work if you don't have to, especially if you have a dodgy back.  I think men are obsessed with rotovators and big equipment in general. Wonder why that is 

 

;D ;D

Funny isn't - soil is the source of all our well-being and all we seem to want to do is beat it up! Twentieth century agricultural methods have a LOT to answer for...  ::)

[Doris_Pinks]

I have just spread my load of manure over my beds and covered them for the winter, I , like moggle and Wardy, let the worms do the hard work for me! ;D

[Obelixx]

I too prefer the "spread and leave for worms" method.   It's quicker, easier and just needs a light forking in spring or when planting if I can't wait till then.   OH is a bit of a rotavator demon but is now restricted to using it for an initial dig when I nick another bit of lawn for plants.   Then we spread on compost or manure as available and leave it to the worms.  Apart from a carrot germination disaster and a rash of tomato blight, all our fruit, veggies and plants grow like topsy and several plants in the ornamental garden have triffid ambitions.

[wardy]

Cow manure is very heavy which is something else to bear in mind if you have a bad back.  I had horse and cow manure at the same time and the horse muck is easier to chuck about.  I have left loads in bags where it's been rotting down for months and it will stay there til next spring probably so hopefully the weeds will have gone by then.

[keef]

Problem is cow shiite is like rockin horse shiite ;D I cant get any for love nor money this year.

[wardy]

It's good that it's going on farmer's fields but no so good for us on the lotties.  I'm going to get mine ordered pronto. Still can't get to mine as the wasps are still in residence, probably due to the balmy weather

[raisedbedted]

agree completely on digging is best,

we get 8 cubic metres of cow manure delivered for £30.

It sure is one big heap of sh*t.

[keef]

We used to get our manure delivered for free from the local farm - problem is that its part of a big animal research establishment, i think they wont let us use it now because of foot and mouth, BVDV and other nasty's.

[raisedbedted]

Crikey what are you growing on your plot, a herd of friesans?!  Cant see cauliflowers being particularly at risk, but i guess they need to cover themselves.

And if it was free then they probably wouldnt bother too much anyway.

[keef]

I think they're more worried out me spreading about somthing from there dung - to another farm, via my boots etc. Some animal bugs can spread like that - I think they're being a bit too parinoid though.

[AikenDrum]

tony, like you  ... I am a "lottie virgin" , I've read a couple of chapters of a couple of books ... done the Google bit.. and .. I've come to the conclusion, that, depending on how fallow or otherwise your plot is  .... ROTIVATE the bugger ! and deal with any problems that arise  ...when they arise    {:¬)#

P.S.  Unless there is an obvious serious weed problem.

[raisedbedted]

My experience of rotavating.

Spend a whole day in back breaking position getting the soil to a really fine tilth.

Looks great I'll be planting next week.

1 week later there are bits of greenery poking through everywhere.

Plant stuff anyway.

One month later there is a forest of weeds everywhere & back to square 1.

Give me a spade anyday, theres the whole winter to get it done and the soil will be in far better heart for it, especially if you have manure to puit in at the same time.