Allotments 4 All

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

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

Great to see the evidence of your own peepers dinger, well done ;D

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 ....
::)

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

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

Whats the best way of getting manure?  What sort of price should I expect to pay?

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

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

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!

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!

I was wondering what that rusty ring I found on my allotment was......a rusty halo... :o ;D