ive dug a big hole!!!

[flubba-jubba]

errrrm........i tried to create a veggie patch over the weekend and ive made a bit of a mess!! (i cant help it....my strawbs are looking great and i want to grow more things lol)

the soil is just like thick clay and i cant see that anything would want to grow in that!! ive dug in 3 bags of compost and ive dug about a fork deep....been turning it over but theres so many stones and clay......i dont know what to do now apart from go down the raised bed idea.

much help needed!!!

[janeyo]

My last bed that was dug out of weed patch looked much like that but I planted in it anyway and the brassicas are going great guns. Don't give up!

[Snadger]

Very 'rustic' looking raised bed flubba-jubba! (And your fingernails are too clean)

[flubba-jubba]

should i continue to keep turning it?? i was going to turn the soil after work whilst the weathers good this week (accountant by day hence the clean fingers )

[Sweepster]

As soon as your kitty starts to use it as a litter tray, you'll know you've achieved the perfect consistency for a veg bed

[flubba-jubba]

As soon as your kitty starts to use it as a litter tray, you'll know you've achieved the perfect consistency for a veg bed

she took a big one in it this morning lol ....... she didnt cover it over though and i had to go out armed with a plastic bag

[gadgetman]

I've dumped wet paper on mine, then sieved soil then some soil improver from B&Q, then some compost.

Hoping the improver will sort the clay, and the wet paper will attract the worms.

[zazen999]

Have a read through this; clay soil is a good starting point [honest]

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...oil_27032.html

[taff]

A couple of my beds look like that too, but the courgettes seem to like it [so far] will try it with runner beans later on this week.. Chuck some grass clippings round whatever you plant in it, it'll keep it moister, and less prone to cracking when it really dries up. Plus they'll act as added compost when they dry out and get mixed in.
I added a load of compost and manure to some of the other ones last year [same soil] and it's improved it a bit, but I think it's going to take another year of compost digging in to fluff it up a bit.
It might not be spectacular for root veg, but anything else will probably be fine.

[blackkitty]

Our soil is also like that and we've got lots of stones as it used to be covered with gravel. Just dig some compost in and lots of plants will be fine, especially if you can plant out seedlings rather than seeds.

[flubba-jubba]

the things i plan on planting in that patch are: runner beans, carrotts, radishes and spring onions.

do you think these will be ok??

should i start them off in small pots and then transplant to the veggie patch when they have sprouted a bit??

[Two_Sheds]

should i start them off in small pots and then transplant to the veggie patch when they have sprouted a bit??

No need. In June it's warm enough to sow direct.

[flubba-jubba]

excellent!! thanks for all the info guys, i really appreciate it!!

it just so happens im on audit this week at a builders merchant so ive managed to get hold of 2 pallets to raise my veg patch a little, didnt cost me a penny, only an awkward drive home lol




i must say, after forking the patch after work it does appear to be looking better, and i also forked in some rotting grass from one of my many piles dotted about the garden.....i even got my hands dirty and scooped it out!!

[flubba-jubba]

all plants looking good today......those marigolds were a bargain, £3 from tesco....they look so pretty!!