I can,t find the origonal thread on the no dig method of gardening where i said i would give it a try.
I covered half my brassica bed with straw and manure to suppress the weeds which i think is working quite well, but as for the development of my cabbages i am not to impressed.
I planted 8 gabbages using my old method, 8 cabbages the no dig method and done 4 with a combination of both methods.
(http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r111/stumpinsci/Picture028.jpg)
The above are the cabbages grown in my old method with a ring of growmore and calcified plus around the plant.
(http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r111/stumpinsci/Picture026.jpg)
The above are the plant using both the no dig and fertizer around the plant.
(http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r111/stumpinsci/Picture027.jpg)
Last these are the plants using the no dig method and no fertilizer, they have slug damage and not keeping up with the growth of the other plants.
Still a long time to go yet and i intend to keep this gowing till they are pulled and then wieghed.
Davy did you stll add lime to the no dig area cos I do for cabbages.
Just using manure and straw means the soil is very acid, perhaps that could account for such poor results?
The only bed that does not get limed is where the spuds go.
OK it was just a thought :)