Digging in very hot weather

[Cosmo and Dibs]

I've got aboit 1/3 of my plot to dig and weed.....but it's too hot to do much digging!

I'm not very fit, but have coped with the 2/3s of digging that I've done so far.

I know most will say- don't do it, but that means missing out on a my onions as they need to be in for the end of May.

Do you have any advice for digging in hot weather?

[zazen999]

What are you digging out or in?

[Nicos]

Get down there at sunrise- or as early as poss. The ground should be a bit damp and the air cool and hopefully not too humid.
It's what they do in hot countries- and then have a lovely, well earned siesta!!!

[Two_Sheds]

It's not great to dig over the ground in hot weather, as it causes the moisture that has been trapped underground, to evaporate.

Still, if it needs to be done .... I've dug over a 6x8 patch today to get the brambles out and my sweetcorn in.

[emilymup]

Absolutely agree with Nicos! I was down the lottie before 8 this morning and even felt I was a bit late then! But I managed to get so much more done than I would have done with the sunshine this afternoon!!

[Cosmo and Dibs]

What are you digging out or in?

I've just got to dig over the soil to break it up as it is quite compacted.

[NOG]

No I am all for sitting in the shade drinking a cold drink.

[zazen999]

I've just got to dig over the soil to break it up as it is quite compacted.

Personally, if that's the case, I'd get some weed fabric, cut holes in it where you want the onions and just dig small holes for the onions and plant them like that. Or, dig holes and plant the onions and mulch with either home made or MP compost. Or, put some cardboard over the space and make holes in that - and plant the onions.

And do it last thing at night [it was still light at 10pm here last night], water in and it will give the onions a chance to bed in before tomorrow's heat.

[Sprocket*]

I agree with everyone else, get down there as early as you can. The OH and I have been down at 3pm to put up a fruit cage, I couldn't go earlier as I was working! We weren't doing anything as hard as digging and it nearly laid us out in the heat. We are both fit and in our 30's but found our selves running for the shed frequently.

I will be up at 6 to get some weeding done before the sun comes around!

[bluemoon]

One advantage of the chickens is that we're now on the plot at 5.30am so get an hour or two before the sun gets too hot. In previous years we've gone to the plot to work on late evenings too and always water last thing at night. I know a lot of people recommend it's done in the mornings to prevent shocking the plants, but it's always worked if we left it until last thing.

[Cosmo and Dibs]

Personally, if that's the case, I'd get some weed fabric, cut holes in it where you want the onions and just dig small holes for the onions and plant them like that. Or, dig holes and plant the onions and mulch with either home made or MP compost. Or, put some cardboard over the space and make holes in that - and plant the onions.

And do it last thing at night [it was still light at 10pm here last night], water in and it will give the onions a chance to bed in before tomorrow's heat.

That seems like the best idea for my situation.

Will the onions be able to push the soil outwards to allow them to grow sufficiently?

Thanks for the idea!

[zazen999]

Yes, they will be fine. If they are surrounded with clay, then loosen the clay late in the season but if they are going in now and you mulch with compost, they will be fine.

[Cosmo and Dibs]

Thanks again, zazen.

[Maximillian]

On our plot now the days are longer I go around 7pm when it cooler and then I make sure I don't faff around and get things done!

[miffy]

When the forecast is hot i get up the plot really early, it is cool, very quiet and before the heat hits the plot i have finished and head off home for a nice shower and then can enjoy sitting in the sun with a cool drink.