Allotments 4 All

Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: dingerbell on August 02, 2006, 20:43:49

Title: Beating the drought...hard work paying off
Post by: dingerbell on August 02, 2006, 20:43:49
I wondered if digging 2 tons of muck into my clay based lottie last year was worth all the effort....it has.  I haven't watered my allotment once this year and apart from the beans, I've had a Bumper Crop. The surface of the ground is parched and cracked but lower down where the veggies' roots are penetrating is quite moist. All of that farmyard goodness is holding any moisture just where the veggies need it. I'm only going to use water on my tender seedlings next year. Keep digging in that muck....you know it works.... ;D
Title: Re: Beating the drought...hard work paying off
Post by: grawrc on August 02, 2006, 21:04:35
I've ordered a ton for the autumn DB - maybe I should double my order? Also got 5 compost heaps going so I'm hoping I'm ahead of the game. ;)

Sudden thought: is all that methane adding to the global warming? :o :o :o :P
Title: Re: Beating the drought...hard work paying off
Post by: supersprout on August 02, 2006, 21:51:15
Great to see the evidence of your own peepers dinger, well done ;D
Title: Re: Beating the drought...hard work paying off
Post by: saddad on August 02, 2006, 22:44:39
I have the hard clay and some places, like where we had a ton of muck dumped, nearly ten years ago, is still better than the rest. If I could afford it I would go for an 8" layer over it all ....
::)
Title: Re: Beating the drought...hard work paying off
Post by: Truffle on August 03, 2006, 08:28:45
This may seem a bit excessive but I dug in 3 tonnes onto a half plot last year!- result is that nothing needs watering except germinating seeds ;D
Title: Re: Beating the drought...hard work paying off
Post by: glow777 on August 03, 2006, 09:01:19
Quote from: grawrc on August 02, 2006, 21:04:35
Sudden thought: is all that methane adding to the global warming? :o :o :o :P

It would be decomposing wherever it was so it may as well be on your lottie
Title: Re: Beating the drought...hard work paying off
Post by: RobC on August 03, 2006, 15:07:33
Whats the best way of getting manure?  What sort of price should I expect to pay?
Title: Re: Beating the drought...hard work paying off
Post by: dingerbell on August 03, 2006, 15:16:54
I'm lucky to live in rural South Somerset but you can try Riding Stables, your local council Recycling Center for "soil Improver".  If you are near the beach, seaweed is a superb compost....slugs hate it.. ;D
Anyone with animals that eat grass or hay produce good muck. Remember though, the older the better....good luck
Title: Re: Beating the drought...hard work paying off
Post by: dingerbell on August 03, 2006, 15:18:42
Oops and forgot to say, the going rate around these parts is £15 for 2 tons delivered by the local farmer.
Another source is upent mushroom compost with the added bonus of a free crop of mushrooms for your breakfast... ;D
Title: Re: Beating the drought...hard work paying off
Post by: Truffle on August 03, 2006, 17:42:31
We get ours from a local stable and its £20 for 4 tonnes delivered- I think they are just happy to get rid of the stuff!
Title: Re: Beating the drought...hard work paying off
Post by: Phil on August 04, 2006, 13:35:42
Sudden thought: is all that methane adding to the global warming? :o :o :o :P
[/quote]

No.  Aerobic composting (i.e. an ordinary compost heap/bin) fixes most of the carbon from the dead plant matter into the ground rather than releasing it into the atmosphere.  It is one of the best things we can do for mitigating climate change.  Pat yourselves on the back and polish your halos!
Title: Re: Beating the drought...hard work paying off
Post by: dingerbell on August 04, 2006, 15:55:37
I was wondering what that rusty ring I found on my allotment was......a rusty halo... :o ;D