bean trench not grave

[smallfrog]

Hi all,
i've been digging a bean trench today and was wondering how deep do i go??
At the mo its about 1 and a bit spades which i thought would be ok but just thought i'd do a quick straw poll.

Also what can, can't and is recomended to go into said trench.

[Paulottie]

Well its a bit of a 'how long's a piece of string?' one that. Usually 2 spits is fine...3 if your energetic.

Fill the trench with 1/2 rotted compost, torn newspaper, old straw, etc. anything that will hold water in the sump.

... the mother in law is often a tempting addition....if it is very deep you might risk perennial weeds like couch in the bottom layer.

[Pies]

Just dont dig up the sub soil

[Paulottie]

Nothing Wrong with digging it up.... Just put it back down the bottom again.

[smallfrog]

is the subsoil the hard bit.

I dug one piece a little deeper and hit what i think is clay the texture and colour of the soil changed.

At the mo the soil heaped up next to the trench waiting to be back filled when i've added the compostie stuff. So i will shred news paper and line the bottom with cardboard and onto that paper, kitchen waste and hopefully rabbit muck. Then top with soil and leave alone until i set my beans.

When you said about it acting as a sump is it more important to get and keep the moisture in and less about getting more feed in or should it be an equal mix of compost to paper/ card.

[Paulottie]

Exactly right: the subsoil is the different coloured bit. If it is clay soil it will stick together as a solid lump in your hand. put that back mixed with the straw, compost ( the 1/2 rotted rubbish- not your finest stuff), paper etc. Normally this is done over a few weeks.

You don't need much nutrient content as you say its just something to retain moisture and break up the subsoil to allow the roots right down.

[smallfrog]

thanks Paul.
willl get on to it this weekend