what to do next

[northmaid]

Hi
I'm new to allotmenteering and have just bcome the proud owner of a greenhouse (so excited!). To make way for it I've had to re-site paths (these were membrane covered with chipped bark). I'm now left with compacted soil which seems to be as dead as Monty Python's parrot; no worms or signs of life apart from a few horsetail roots, and even they didn't look too well! It's heavy clay and all I've done so far is dig over roughly. Any advice please on the best way to bring back the soil structure to hopefully use for planting next season? Will it be enough just to dig in well rotted compost?

[weekendwellies]

Welcome Northmaid. Tip - Grapes will want to know your location.
I am inexperienced myself, but someone is bound to be along in a little while who can give loads of advice. They are all getting sloshed as there have been 3 babies born this morning ((can you hear the glasses clinking))
I think I would put compost over the surface and cover it until spring, but I wait to be corrected.
You can get some crops growing before spring though.
Onions, garlic, brassicas and some beans will grow through the winter, I think.
When you get your first few crops it heartens you to continue, rather than just looking at bare earth.

[zazen999]

I'd do any or all of the following:
build a surround to keep the soil in one place [a raised bed if you like]
mulch with well rotted compost
fill the beds with onions from sets; garlics and any leeks that you can find; all grow down and loosen clay soils.
keep it well watered throughout the winter [but not too wet] and make sure the compost has worms in it and the worms will drag the compost down.

Then harvest those in the spring, and early summer and plant in their places your summer greenhouse crops. you could also move all the onions/leeks/garlics into the lottie beds in the spring if you need them out of the greenhouse - they will still grow but will have helped to loosen the soil in there over the winter.

Hic!

[northmaid]

Many thanks for the tips. Have just ordered the garlic and another plotholder has given me some spare onion sets, so away I go! Am now looking at grapevines in the catalogues following weekendwellies comment.

[zazen999]

I think WW means - that we will want to know your location.....to advise properly [ie The Grapevine; we are called Grapes].

I'd love a grapevine in my greenhouse but there would be little room for the toms and peppers.

[northmaid]

Thanks for this, I'll get the hang of the lingo soon I hope.

[BUFFS]

to break up the ground,dig it over in the spring and plant potatoes,they are great at breaking up such ground and, the foliage will smother the weeds for you,they are really great at clearing the ground of persistant weeds(i have done this each time we have moved (4) and it works every time,then the following year just plant what you like,good luck and warm your back up before doing any heavy digging(voice of experience).