Soil in spring

[nedby]

Hi everyone. I'm new here - first post.

We live in London and have a good sized back garden which we moved into last summer. I've carved out two large beds to grow veggies in but didn't dig/double dig them in the autumn. I did however plant some green manure (forage pea/field greens).

What can I do to them now to ensure the soil is as good as possible for when I start planting? We've been composting kitchen scraps since we moved in but not sure that it's all broken down enough - is it ok to add in semi-composted material? Should I add soil improver?

Obviously we'll dig in the green manure (and probably then cover until planting to warm the soil up) - is that enough?

Thanks!

[veggiechicken]

Hello Nedby and welcome to the Grapevine. I'm sure the Soil Expert will be along soon to advise you, meanwhile, while don't you tell us a little bit about yourself here http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...newthread&f=45 We're a nosey lot and ready to answer any questions you care to throw at us

[rustylady]

Hello and Welcome to the Vine. Please add your location to your profile, then it will show on your posts and saves us having to keep asking.

I wouldn't worry too much about adding stuff to your beds at the moment, just dig in your green manure and start planting / growing.

[Aberdeenplotter]

you can't really go wrong adding organic matter to the soil, just don't do it where you will be growing root crops such as carrots

[Two_Sheds]

Obviously we'll dig in the green manure

Well no, you shouldn't. If you read into "non-dig" methods, you'll appreciate that digging destroys soil structure and the beneficial organisms that live in the soil.

Worms will do all the digging for you.

To encourage them, chop up your green manures roughly, with secateurs or shears, and just leave it on the surface. The worms will drag it all down into their burrows. Photos in my link, below this post.