Will you have a look at my veggie bed please?

[Looby-Blu]

Good Morning

I wonder if anyone can help me?

So far I have three veggie beds that look just like this. I don't know if you can tell by the picture but the soil IS pretty clayey. I've mixed a 70ltr bag of compost in with it and it seems ok. But I've been advised if I think its too clayey (i'm still not sure thats a word) to put some sand in it.

My questions are; Looking at my bed, can you tell if you think its necessary?

If so, is play sand ok to use? And how much would I need to put in a bed of this size?

Thanks ever so.

[jacob marley]

It looks like a big bag of coke has been emtied out in your plot i would try growing pot grown plants and leave as much compost around the roots when you plant out and they will need plenty of watering .
It looks like it needs plenty of mulch to keep moisture in because of the big gaps between the lumps all you can do is persiver? with it and see what turns out good luck....jacob

[RedThorn]

You could try something like this to help break up the chunks..... soil needs to have dried out a bit....
http://www.worldofwolf.co.uk/submenu...il%20Care.html look at the soil miller

Pricey I know, but got it for Christmas

I've got clay soil and I have used horse manure.... this has broken the lumps and the manure down nicely. Later this year dig over just before winter and let the frosts do your work for you.

Hopefully someone with more exp than me will come along later...

[Looby-Blu]

Oh dear - so what you're saying is I won't be able to plant my seedlings in it? Or my carrots and parnips?

What a shame, and here's me thinking I was doing quite well!

Red thorn, the link you provided me with showed lots of tools - which one were you referring to?

[Newbie]

I had heavy clay soil for my 1st two year growing veg, and although i started everything off in pots first most things were quite successful. You'd be suprised at how resiliant most veg are, you can always try the round varieties of carrots which you should have more success with in clay soil. And as others have said, make sure you mix in plenty of stuff with your clay soil, wether it be sand, compost, manure, grit - it all helps to break down the clay into workable stuff.

Don't get disheartened!

[Eyren]

Oh dear - so what you're saying is I won't be able to plant my seedlings in it? Or my carrots and parnips?

I reckon it's way too lumpy for carrots - sorry! The seeds will just fall through the gaps between the lumps and never see the light of day

Play sand won't help to break up the clods much - it's too soft and fine. You want sharp sand, from the garden centre. Organic matter would be better, though - soil improver, well-rotted manure, spent mushroom compost, whatever you can get hold of. Just dump it on top of the clay rather than mixing it in, then sow or plant into that, and eventually the combination of worm activity and cultivation will mix it all up naturally.

Re Redthorn's link, scroll right down to the bottom of the page, where you'll see the Soil Miller.

[Welsh Wizard]

Most things will grow ok if you rake a little to break the clods up. As the previous posters have said,a little sharp sand or compost might help to get a smaller crumb size.

[Snadger]

Good Morning

I wonder if anyone can help me?

So far I have three veggie beds that look just like this. I don't know if you can tell by the picture but the soil IS pretty clayey. I've mixed a 70ltr bag of compost in with it and it seems ok. But I've been advised if I think its too clayey (i'm still not sure thats a word) to put some sand in it.

My questions are; Looking at my bed, can you tell if you think its necessary?

If so, is play sand ok to use? And how much would I need to put in a bed of this size?

Thanks ever so.

And I bet you got your bed surround from the back of Homebase?

[RedThorn]

Thanks Eyren. I Bolded it in the first post now so hopefully it will stand out more for anyone else reading....

[Looby-Blu]

And I bet you got your bed surround from the back of Homebase?

*Gasps in horror* What WOULD you be insinuating Snadger???!!

Actually, as you brought it up - my father in law got them for me from his fork lift truck company.

[Snadger]

*Gasps in horror* What WOULD you be insinuating Snadger???!!

Actually, as you brought it up - my father in law got them for me from his fork lift truck company.

The only reason I mention it is because my allotment neighbours have loads of them and that's where they got them.......with permission of course!

[Looby-Blu]

Thanks Eyren. I Bolded it in the first post now so hopefully it will stand out more for anyone else reading....

Sorry - I see it now. Thanks.

[Looby-Blu]

The only reason I mention it is because my allotment neighbours have loads of them and that's where they got them.......with permission of course!

Oohhh - so you can get them for free then?? I'll spread the word - it'll save my friends from badgering my Father in Law!

I hope they do the job though, i'm afraid its not exactly a tried and tested method.

[Snadger]

Oohhh - so you can get them for free then?? I'll spread the word - it'll save my friends from badgering my Father in Law!

I hope they do the job though, i'm afraid its not exactly a tried and tested method.

Erm........not exactly. My neighbours were told they could have them, then the next time they went to get some more the place was spick and span and they were told they had a NEW warehouse man take over!

Shame, because they look ideal for the job, and being collapsible are easily transported!

[Norm]

Just a tad confused with the photo. The date shows either July 4 or April 7, 2006. Also, you mention seedlings; carrots and parsnips. How big is this bed?