Manure and root veg

[andy_j]

Got my self a half sized allotment starting next week. Want to grow a fair bit of root veg such as carrots, leeks, onions (white, red, shallots and spring) parsnips and sweede.

Heard it said a few times that some root veg doesn't like to be in manured ground. As i am in the planning stages of where everything could go next year, could you please advise on what crops like manure and what don't.

Thanks in advance

Andy

[WendyC]

Carrots and parsnips tend to fork if on manured ground so no to them. Onions like quite a rich ground to get them to a decent size. Swede are in fact brassicas. My RHS books says to dig in manure for them the previous autumn so you are right on target. Potatoes will like some too if you are growing them.

[rustylady]

Carrots and parsnips are the only root veg on your list. Everything else can go in manured ground.

[BertieFox]

Depends what you mean by 'manure'. Extremely well rotted manure or compost doesn't seem to cause us any problem with these crops, but we do tend to use them as a surface mulch and feed. I think the forking only occurs when you have lumps of fairly fresh manure buried in the soil.

[mrgrower]

If your manuering where you want to plant cabage or other Brasicas be sure too lime the soil a good two weeks before planting as Brasicas don't like an acid soil I blieve a Ph reading of around 7.5 is wht you are looking at for any brasica that may be incorrect but thats my understnding. Oh and by the way congratulations on the plot.

[andy_j]

If your manuering where you want to plant cabage or other Brasicas be sure too lime the soil a good two weeks before planting as Brasicas don't like an acid soil I blieve a Ph reading of around 7.5 is wht you are looking at for any brasica that may be incorrect but thats my understnding. Oh and by the way congratulations on the plot.

Thank you sir.

The allotment is smack bang at the bottom of the south downs so it's very chalky. Thanks anyway.