Crusty soil

[caroline7758]

If the soil goes hard on the surface as soon as it dries out, is that a sign of anything in particular? I wouldn't say the soil is clay, but this seems to happen on most areas of my plot. Guess mulching is the answer?

[caroline7758]

[Fork]

Sounds like a clay soil to me.Have you been walking on it and compacting it while it was wet?

If I dig mine over or rotovate and do not stand on it its fine.....if I stand on it dry and cracks.So I use boards to walk on to disribute my weight....and there is quite alot to distribute I can tell you  ;D

[caroline7758]

Did wonder about that, Fork. I've acquired a very useful board recently so will make sure I use it in future!

[saddad]

It is clay, or possibly silt if you are near the Wharf, small particles that stick together and form a crust.... real pig when trying to get carrots to germinate!
;D

[caroline7758]

We are very close to the Wharfe, although up hill from the river.

[Crystalmoon]

My lottie soil does this too...as soon as it dries it is all lumpy & almost forms rocks :o
I have to water the ground first when I want to dig over a bed ready for planting.

I nearly sowed some carrots today, glad i havent done them yet....  Saddad what would you suggest for carrots? Should i sow them in pots instead?

[ninnyscrops]

Hard rain and sunshine causes the crust on my clay plot - had to break it up in between my onions and garlic today - will be visiting the brewery for some spent hops next week that'll stop it forming again ;)

[caroline7758]

That's exactly what I'm going to do, ninny- they really do make a good mulch, don't they?