I know that most brassicas need solid/firm ground. I am putting up a poly tunnel frame & covering it with debris netting - major problems with pigeons & other flying pests! This is on a new piece of ground covered with grass & a few nettles. I thought I would skim of the top 3- 4 inch of turf & rough dig incorporate some very very old compost, then walk over to compress the bed. Any thoughts would be helpful, I have lots of plants in my Polytunnel to plant out.
Thanks
Jane
Make sure you did out all the nettles, their roots can travel quite a way.
When I planted my brassica last year, I just firmed the soil around the roots when the young plants were planted.
Neil
Hiya, granny garden, welcome to a4a ;D
we've just planted ours out under a debris 'cage, sounds like a good plan..happy digging ;D
This is my method of planting & netting; http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Brassica%20planting/brassica%20planting.html (http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Brassica%20planting/brassica%20planting.html)
Welcome to A4A Jane... add some muck if you can.. esp if you remove some of the top soil... :)
Many thanks everyone for your replies,I will give it a go - as they say nother ventured nothing gained!!
Jane
i believe the phase is "nothing ventured nothing gained"
also the firm ground theory for planting brassicas has been shown to be wrong.
Welcome to A4A Grannygarden ;D ;D
I've done something similar in the past - it means you get some crops in now, which has to be a bonus :)
1066
Hi Jane. You are certainly right about the firm ground for your brassicas cos years ago I tested the theory as I didn't believe it, I was so sure that well dug soft ground had to be better than firm but I was proved wrong..sorry Plainleaf.. but I would dispute you hotly on this one, I had to learn it the hard way, and shame on you for correcting someone's spelling..not nice!!
I wish I had a big polytunnel we are not allowed glass and I have to build one somehow.
Good luck
XX Jeannine
Quote from: plainleaf2 on May 01, 2010, 06:23:38
i believe the phase is "nothing ventured nothing gained"
also the firm ground theory for planting brassicas has been shown to be wrong.
It seems odd that someone who fails to use capitals and who's spacing is all over the place, should feel it is there place to correct others on their spelling.
'their' place, if you please amphibian. ;D
I'm in the mood for pendanting, romancing, ooh........
Quote from: amphibian on May 01, 2010, 07:21:30there place to correct others on their spelling.
and it's "speling" innit!
Tee Gee>>>> how much lime is that?
QuoteTee Gee>>>> how much lime is that?
I don't actually measure it out.
My plants are roughly 15" apart each way with a 2"-3" wide line of lime between them. This gives the grid appearance you see.
Nothing more scientific than that I'm afraid!
I hope that answers your question.
While I'm on this thread! Regarding the soft/firm soil approach.
I have given it a bit more thought and come up with the following;
As most people know
I DON'T firm my plants in but a thought occurred to me and it is this;
I winter dig e.g. Oct/Nov meaning my soil has settled somewhat when I come to plant out meaning I don't have to do any further 'firming up'
I would guess in a situation where one has dug their bed/s just prior to planting then there might be a need for firming the plants in.
Then again I have got good soil!! for example I can sink my spade in a full spit deep without having to use my foot to push it in plus I add a full trailer load of farm yard manure in every year so it is quite 'loamy'
What do you think folks?
I to get all my plot sorted well in advance so the most it will get prior to planting is a hoe and rake but i do tend to put a foot around my plants to give them that extra bit of firmness.
I think if i was to clear the ground now of grass and nettles i would double dig clearing all weeds /nettles i can Dig back the length of raking distance then rake level and then plant my veg and continue on as before clearing my next bit and plant.
If the ground is virgin soil the manure would not be necessary as very little nutrients have been taken out of it.
As the ground has been freshly dug over yes i would firm the plants in.
I would not be to worried about any weeds/nettles that re- grow as i have the rest of the year to deal with them.
Enjoy your garden
Remember.....you are there to break the gardens back, its not there to break your back.