Peas and veg patch extension

[Jothegardener]

Hi Folks

I have 2 things that I would like your help on if possible. Firstly is it too late to sow early peas like Meteor, the next chance I will get to sow them will be Saturday and they will be next to the broad beans (Aqualdulce)?

The next thing is, I have extended my vegetable patch because I had some lawn which was next to the veggie patch and separate to the main lawn, so I have dug it up, I just dug it to a spades depth and have left it to be broken down by the frost, it seems to be very good soil like the rest of the veggie patch, slightly erring towards clay but not as heavy, this weekend we are going to get either some railway sleeper type things to put down the middle so that I can tend to it, but my question is should I dig in some rotted manure now or get some to just put on the top and let the worms do their stuff, if so what type, i.e pigs or horse or would organic multi purpose compost be ok. I intend to start planting from the roots group next year potatoes, beetroot etc.

Any help greatly appreciated.

[SueA]

Hi Jo, no it's not too late to sow peas, 'Meteor' can be sown any time in October-November, I've still got some to sow myself & have just been preparing the veg. bed for them in between showers! They don't grow very tall - about 18ins, but might need some support from a few twiggy sticks. Mine will be under a polythene (with holes in) cloche but they don't really need protection as they're supposed to be hardy.
As for your new veg. bed I'd lightly dig in some well-rotted horse manure if you can get it or just some multi-purpose or home made compost if not. If you're growing carrots as well there next year you don't want too much manure or they might fork, but a little bit now should have broken down by next spring. Good luck with your new bed!

[Jothegardener]

Hi Sue

Thanks very much for your help, I think it will have to be multi-purpose compost you can get organic multi-purpose at the farm shop, so I shall use that. There is a source for horse manure near by but it is very strawy and doesn't rot down according to another veg grower in the village and I haven't got any home compost ready until probably next year.

Fingers crossed for nice or at least not raining weather at the weekend so we can get out there!

[Snadger]

If you have incorporated the turves from your lawn into the vegetable bed it will help give the soil some organic matter and drought tolerance!

[nick the grief]

If you were going to dig the muck in you could have doneit the same time as digging it over, So I would go through that again. If I were you I'd get some of the manure & put it in some bacg & leave it covered over till next spring & then when you come to plant your spuds rather than dibble a hole take a trench out & put some muck in the bottom , an inch or two of soil and then put the spuds on this it will be rotted enough by then for tatties. If you are growing Carrots & parsnips you don't want manure in the soil anyway so that should be OK.