soil temps

[the big lebowski]

hi all,someone posted on here that it can keep the soil at too low temps if you dig it over too soon after this cold spell weve just had ,im planning on going up my plot tomorrow to have a look about but most of the snow has now gone around my way and 6/7 beds were already turned over so next ill just be breaking the soil up with my mattock should i still wait to do this ? if yes how long should i wait ? any thoughts welcome ,cheers

[Aberdeenplotter]

hi all,someone posted on here that it can keep the soil at too low temps if you dig it over too soon after this cold spell weve just had ,im planning on going up my plot tomorrow to have a look about but most of the snow has now gone around my way and 6/7 beds were already turned over so next ill just be breaking the soil up with my mattock should i still wait to do this ? if yes how long should i wait ? any thoughts welcome ,cheers

So long as you are not burying snow or frozen soil you will be ok

[nickdub]

hi all,someone posted on here that it can keep the soil at too low temps if you dig it over too soon after this cold spell weve just had ,im planning on going up my plot tomorrow to have a look about but most of the snow has now gone around my way and 6/7 beds were already turned over so next ill just be breaking the soil up with my mattock should i still wait to do this ? if yes how long should i wait ? any thoughts welcome ,cheers

It was probably me who posted about the inadvisability of turning in snow/frozen soil while digging.

In your case it sounds as though the ground is not too cold to be workable, but if you're unsure I'd advise erring on the side of caution and find other jobs to do for another week or so.
Of course it also partly depends on what you intend to plant in that plot. Worse case would be trying to sow seeds soon after, but if on the other hand you were going to plant out pea or bean seedlings I doubt an odd degree of soil temp less will make much difference.

[geepee]

hi all,someone posted on here that it can keep the soil at too low temps if you dig it over too soon after this cold spell weve just had ,im planning on going up my plot tomorrow to have a look about but most of the snow has now gone around my way and 6/7 beds were already turned over so next ill just be breaking the soil up with my mattock should i still wait to do this ? if yes how long should i wait ? any thoughts welcome ,cheers

If you've already turned your beds over by digging,as stated, what is the need to dig again ..?
Any beds not already dug wont be harmed by turning cold soil or snow into them , other than maybe taking slightly longer for soil temps to warm up but if they need digging for planting spring sown crops , then 'Needs must'.
Previously dug beds will I think benefit from 'The Mattock' in as much as being a 'Half seed bed' as temps increase and able to absorb more surface warming ..??
However, if you are thinking of Incorporating FYM or Growmore etc into your seed bed, a 'Dug' surface does enable better mixing at a depth that seedlings can absorb nutrients after germination and at early growth stage.
Gp

[the big lebowski]

hi all thanks for the replys ,im not digging my beds over again i was breaking the big clods of soil down that had been left from when i dug it over before the cold spell ,im hoping to get the soil to a tilth this month but i didnt want to do anything that would make it worse for myself ,cheers

[ESBkevin]

If the big clods have had a recent freeze would it not pay to let them dry a day or two and see if knocking them with a rake is all thats needed. The frost expanding all that moisure in the winter soil usually breaks the clumps down earies than a manic bloke with a big tool! Obviously we cant see your soil and your judgement is best.