Manure on top or under

[Gary88]

Hi all the soil in my veg patch is very clay like and forms lumps if you squeeze it it sticks together I have read on another forum that manure and mulch will break this up over time, just wanted to know if the manure goes on top or do I work it in the soil thanks for reading


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[Hazel at the Hill]

Save yourself the backache and just bung a big layer on top. The worms will dig it in for you.

[Snadger]

Save yourself the backache and just bung a big layer on top. The worms will dig it in for you.

Word for word what I would have said!

[mrgrower]

Yep I just bung it on top

[arpoet]

First time we have all agreed.. yes, lay it on top and leave the work to the worms.

[Gary88]

Fantastic stuff thanks everyone


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[Two_Sheds]

Could I just say ...








... always put your manure/compost as a mulch (ie on the top), do not dig it in. Digging destroys worm tunnels, collapsing the soil structure which leads to more compaction

[pigletwillie]

Following on from two sheds post, a no dig philosophy is a wonderful labour saving one. I found that by not digging not only does what two sheds say happen buy you do not constantly break up the networks of moulds and fungus in the soil which are what super boost the amount of minerals and trace elements plants take up.My No Dig Beds Always Outperform Dug Ones And I Also Have A Spine That Still works.

[BertieFox]

When we think of what the Victorians used to do with all that double digging, and working well rotted manure into the bottom spit, before mixing more with the earth moved to the end of the plot that was then worked back into the first spit, they must have loved hard work! Of course, they DID grow fantastic vegetables, and although like everyone else here I am a convinced no dig aficionado, I think that double digging has its place for the masochist perfectionists who want to produce perfect, huge vegetables.