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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: springbok on April 03, 2008, 17:56:06

Title: my garlic and onion bed = help please :)
Post by: springbok on April 03, 2008, 17:56:06
My onion bed and garlic bed, look like dried out river bed,  the soil has cracked all above the surface with a thin layer of dry soil.

The onions and garlic look fine, however the onion sets seem to be poking out the soil alot more but are growing normally.

Never seen soil look like this in the UK before... can anyone suggest what is going on? 

Thanks.
Title: Re: my garlic and onion bed = help please :)
Post by: Fork on April 03, 2008, 18:38:48
Mine does the same if I dont keep hoeing in and around everything,especially in a dry spell.

I would give it some water and start hoeing otherwise the cracks will get bigger
Title: Re: my garlic and onion bed = help please :)
Post by: Tee Gee on April 03, 2008, 19:42:01
QuoteI would give it some water and start hoeing otherwise the cracks will get bigger

I agree although not sure about the watering.

But before you start hoeing top dress with a high nitrogen fertiliser such as ammonium sulphate and hoe that in at the same time.

If you don't have ammonium sulphate use a balanced fertiliser.
Title: Re: my garlic and onion bed = help please :)
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on April 03, 2008, 20:15:52
When you get a chance, add loads of organic matter. An inch or two of organic mulch on those sets now wouldn't do any harm; it's how I grow them. They're probably rising out of the soil because the roots are beginning to grow, and haven't got hold of the soil yet.
Title: Re: my garlic and onion bed = help please :)
Post by: pako on April 03, 2008, 20:37:39
 ::)probably global warming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D,everything else in this country gets blamed on this poor old thing. ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: my garlic and onion bed = help please :)
Post by: springbok on April 03, 2008, 21:20:39
Quote from: Robert_Brenchley on April 03, 2008, 20:15:52
When you get a chance, add loads of organic matter. An inch or two of organic mulch on those sets now wouldn't do any harm; it's how I grow them. They're probably rising out of the soil because the roots are beginning to grow, and haven't got hold of the soil yet.

Is manure ok?  I have tons of that.

Title: Re: my garlic and onion bed = help please :)
Post by: springbok on April 03, 2008, 21:21:01
Quote from: Tee Gee on April 03, 2008, 19:42:01
QuoteI would give it some water and start hoeing otherwise the cracks will get bigger

I agree although not sure about the watering.

But before you start hoeing top dress with a high nitrogen fertiliser such as ammonium sulphate and hoe that in at the same time.

If you don't have ammonium sulphate use a balanced fertiliser.

Is growmore ok? 
Title: Re: my garlic and onion bed = help please :)
Post by: saddad on April 03, 2008, 21:27:55
I usually work in some growmore before we start but it's better than nothing...
:)
Title: Re: my garlic and onion bed = help please :)
Post by: Tee Gee on April 04, 2008, 13:01:48
QuoteIs growmore ok?

Yes that will do! as I recall it is either 1:1:1: or is it 7:7:7  ??? so it is a balanced fertiliser.