A No-dig experiment.

[Snadger]

This year it is my intention to grow all my brassicas by direct sowing.

The reason for this is that I noticed the plants that were left in my seed bed last year did better than the transplanted plants.

My problem is that I try and utilise a no-dg regime now. The first year (two years ago) I dug over my whole plot but it hasn't been dug since.
After hoeing off weeds today the ground was like concrete and it would be hard to work it to a tilth suitable for seed sowing.
This is where I intend to experiment.
I will dibber holes along a line at the correct spacing for the particular brassica I am sowing. I will then fill the dibber holes with compost and after watering sow a pinch of seed in each.
Once germinated I will thin them to two plants at each station and later to one plant.
After germination I will cover with debri netting to keep butterflies and pigeons off them
.
I will be sowing cabbages, kales,sprouts,broccoli,calabrese,caulis and swedes with this method.

It should work ok, but never having planted brassicas this way before, I will just have to wait and see?

[muckdiva]

I will follow with interest. I was going to do do something similar with parsnips - make a hole with something (crowbar!?), fill with compost and station sow the seeds.

[Snadger]

I will follow with interest. I was going to do do something similar with parsnips - make a hole with something (crowbar!?), fill with compost and station sow the seeds.

It works with parsnips and carrots. I have done the old crowbar routine before and used a sandy mix for the infill. My intention is to use a John Innes type infill for the brassicas though and hopefully there roots will penetrate the surrounding area as they grow. We shall see.

[veggiechicken]

Brassicas are supposed to like firm soil so you should be fine.

[Snadger]

Brassicas are supposed to like firm soil so you should be fine.

That's the logic behind it VC. Although I wonder whats the difference between firm and compacted?
As another addition and to increase the localised alkalinity' I have some wood ash I will apply liberally to surface after dibbling the holes.

[SarrissUK]

I think the cabbages will be happy Snadger A crust on the top doesn't mean it's compacted further down, but the hole you make filled with compost will be a lovely place for them to grow. Cabbages don't go too deep anyway

[Kirk]

Funny isn't it?
That is exactly how a seed grows.
Falls on the ground, roots and grows exactly where it landed.

[Thelma Sanders]

I will follow with interest.

Me too, don't forget t let us know how it goes, Snadger