advice to improve my soil please

[Robert_Brenchley]

I read somewhere that it takes seven years to build a decent soil. I don't know whether that's right or not, but there's no need to give up so soon. just keep adding organic matter, and if other problems appear, deal with them as you go. You should be able to get crops this year, even if they aren't massive, and every year it gets that bit better.

[Robert_Brenchley]

[daveyboi]

One other thing that should be mentioned I guess is crop rotation which also helps improve the yields and soil conditions as well.

Another hint would be to ask your neighbours what varieties they grow as seed choice can play a part as well.

And I would stress again to check the ph of your soil as if it needs lime it will unlock nutrients that are already there in the soil.

[telboy]

Everybody dives in but missed the vital part of the thread.
If you go back dear hearts you will see that 'flowergirl' rotated her plot 'FULL OF BINDWEED'.
Now then, can you all start again?
Back to basics?

[daveyboi]

Everybody dives in but missed the vital part of the thread.
If you go back dear hearts you will see that 'flowergirl' rotated her plot 'FULL OF BINDWEED'.
Now then, can you all start again?
Back to basics?

Sorry but please read her post again it actually says she PLANS to rotavate this autumn

[flowergirl]

One thing I would recomend is to buy a soil testing kit and see where your ph level is at present.

It might pay you to sow a green manure this winter as well.

What type of soil do you have ?

Will buy testing kit thanks

[laurieuk]

I would forget the rotavator and get a good stainless steel spade and dig the ground. Rotavators tend (to me ) to smash all the structure out of the soil. I would make what compost I can and use that rather than from the council which after all is everyones Else's rubbish. Most council have disclaimer sign up so that you have no chance of complaining about weed seed or other problems.I think a rotavator is an addition to the spade not a replacement. Many will not agree with me but I say as I do.

[Kimberley]

I took mine over recently, actually i've had it less than 4 weeks.

I haven't rotovated at all, I've just forked all the ground over, cleared it of weeds, levelled it and then manured it.  I'm about three quarters of the way through at the moment.

When it's all cleared, I'll let the worms drag the manure through the soil and then dig it over again in Spring for planting.

Keep going, you'll get there - at least that's what I keep telling myself !