leaf mould

[greenfingers007]

Hi everyone,

Spring will soon be with us and busy times ahead!! but before all that I need to ask a question.

I have recently taken on my allotment, which is going o.k. I have planted 300 overwintering onions and have started digging the rest of the beds, however I am unable to get hold of any compost /manure etc to spread on my beds and dig in ( except my carrot bed ), However I am able to get hold of copious amounts of free leaf mould which I intend on putting over my beds and digging over winter.

My question is this will this be o.k. for next year until I have my composters up and running.

My allotment has not been grown on for many many years except being prolific with brambles and weeds. So I was thinking that it seems fairly fertile and would this year digging in some leaf mould to improve the soil slightly be o.k.

Advice most welcome.

[lynda66]

anything to improve the soil is a good thing .... also try asking your council for compost, a lot of other sites seem to get this free

[Snadger]

Why dig? Let the worms do the digging and just apply a mulch!

[rustylady]

Leafmould is good stuff. Assuming it's well-rotted just spread it over your beds and as Snadger says let the worms pull it in.

[snohare]

A nice thick layer of leafmould.... sheets of cardboard weighed down with stones on top...sit back warm and dry at home with a cup of tea and let the earthworms get going, they will absolutely love you for it. But not as enjoyable as digging a whole allotment in the rain, though, is it....? And when folk see you going down the street stealing flattened cardboard boxes on bin collection day, you will stop getting invites to dinner parties !

[greenfingers007]

Cheers guys for the advice.