Turning over soil for the spring - help needed

[soph696]

Hello

I have a small allotment that I use for the spring and summer. I was just wondering if I should dig over the soil and fertilies it? If so with what?

Thanks
Sophie

[FionaH]

I think the answer will depend on what you are growing, what do you have planned?

[Snadger]

Pointless putting fertiliser on at this time of year as it will just get washed out with the winter rains!
You could dig in manure now if the soil is heavy clay and leave it roughly dug to let the weather at it. You need to ascertain where you are putting stuff though because areas for brassicas might be better limed than mucked?
I personally don't dig and just add heaps of organic material to the surface and let the worms do the digging!

[soph696]

hi

Mainly beans, courgettes, squash, kale and rocket.

thank u

[Snadger]

hi

Mainly beans, courgettes, squash, kale and rocket.

thank u

In that case, beans fixate there own Nitrogen so don't need fertiliser, (a bit or organic matter wouldn't harm them though) courgettes and squash are hungry feedsrs and thirsty so manure dug in now would be appropriate in that area with BFB applied at planting time and depending on your soil acidity, a dressing of lime on the kale and rocket area may be appropriate!