What is the result of simply digging over and then planting?

[BarbaraGood]

Not my plan at all, I would be gutted if my first year produced a rubbish yield so I won't risk it  :)

But H and I were pondering whilst I was poring over some new books last night, with all their advice on what to plant where and when and what in.

I wondered if anyone on here simply dug over, planted and got on with it, as opposed to preparing their beds "properly" before planting?

Barb

[BarbaraGood]

[markfield rover]

a lone voice maybe ,but we cleared, dug , planted otherwise it is all work no play !
have since prepared as  and  when  never had any probs always get far too much
to eat .Now if growing for show bench another matter.......

[tim]

Our beds were not 'proper' for years - until I finally got muck & things into them.

[Heldi]

After having a horrible time clearing my plot of rubbish where I became quite depressed about it, I literally dug over and planted. I got great results too! Will be doing the same with the final part of the plot to be cleared of glass.

It gave me a real boost just to get something in the ground. I'll be giving the beds I made last year some tlc this year as I don't have as much clearing and weeding to do.  (Hens have helped with the weeding  :)) Can't wait for my first truck of muck!

[saddad]

They are great at grubbing out roots Heldi, and you get free fertiliser...
;D

[RSJK]

No problem what so ever with digging and planting straight away, what I would advise is as you dig pull the roots of Dandelion etc out.

[artichoke]

I certainly can't clear ground without planting up as I go; it is so encouraging to see things growing while you work.

[BarbaraGood]

Wow I am really surprised, I thought it would be a big no-no to just plant out - my plot only became vacant a few weeks ago and altho it has a fine smattering of weeds, its really soft and well dug over underneath, it won't take much effort. I might experiment a bit this year then and do both!

We are getting chickens, but having them at home at the bottom of the garden as 3 children and 2 working parents means we may not get down to the site every day plus the children are mad keen to get involved in their upkeep and I want my allotment to be a bit of peace and quiet for me  ;) Him indoors has the gym!

Thanks :)

[cornykev]

Tell him indoors the gym costs money, the exercise and fresh air from the allotment cost nothing. Good luck Babs and happy digging.   ;D ;D ;D

[cacran]

Oh this sounds like good news to me. I have recently got my allotment. Have  cordened off ten beds of about 4ft x 12ft. I planned to have three for each sort of thing. Brassicas, Root and Legumes (bet you can tell I have been reading the books...LOL!!) the 10th one for herbs and stuff. got a couple more with fruit bushes and strawberries, which were there when I took over. I have dug over a bed for each section. Soil is a bit wet at the moment. Big clods of earth. I have removed most of the weeds, will do the rest as they re root. does that mean I am ready to plant some things now?? Sorry if I sound a bit thick. I am just so much wanting to get it right.

[Marymary]

Just get something in to make it feel like your're achieving something.  Also, I have found when I've dug over some new ground & just planted things that the first year I have got fantastic crops, its subsequent years when I've had to replenish what the crops have taken out.

[campanula]

I don't think this is a black and white, yes or no sort of thing. Depends on what soil you have and what you are growing. Potatoes, for example will be OK but carrots - forget it. Basically, it is the soil which is doing most of the growing, with a bit of water and sunshine of course, but I truly believe that it is worth getting your soil in good heart. This does not necessarily mean digging and tilling within an inch of its life but would you want to bed down on a lumpy old mattress? You can be strategic about how much you work the ground according to what is being planted and when but, you know, gardening and growing is  a long and gentle process rather than a race to the finish and digging and soil preparation is deeply satisfying. Have fun. cheers suzy

[cacran]

Thanks for those, will go for the middle ground (excuse the pun!) then. Will just do a bit more work on the soil, but not go mad.

[philcooper]

...... my plot only became vacant a few weeks ago and altho it has a fine smattering of weeds, its really soft and well dug over underneath, it won't take much effort.

What you have is free crop of green manure. Dig the weeds in (assuming no perennials, couch grass, dandelions, bindweed, which need removing) and plant.

Note some seeds won't germinate in soil that has fresh green material dug in - just leave for 3 weeks before sowing - planting is ok. If you need to sow now, just hoe off the weeds, rake away, then dig.

Dig the removed weeds in elsewhere

- Best of luck

Phil

[Trevor_D]

My experience agrees with most of what's been said. Provided you remove all the noxious weeds, all should be well. The ground has been lying fallow for a bit saving its energy, so should produce a decent crop. Agree with Campanula - forget carrots and stuff (ie. things you sow seed in situ), but planting should be OK. But if you're planting brassicas, stamp it down hard first: they like a firm soil.

Some years ago I dug up part of my lawn: it had been grass since the 1920s and a meadow for a few hundred years before that. I had a fabulous display of mixed fruit & veg! (It was when Geoff Hamilton was doing potagers on TV.) Next year wasn't quite as good, though. So as long as you realise you're only delaying proper digging and stuff.... And it's good to see things growing, isn't it?

Go for it!

Trevor