how to dig?!?!?!?

[Sarico]

Hi everyone
Last month I got the allotment and considered the weather was nice I started to Dig. Everything was ok and I manage to dig half plot and get most of the weed out then the weather got rubbish and I don't know what to do. What I mean in the title how to dig Is that today I went the the plot considered that we didn't have a lot of rain yesterday but the soil is not wet and soggy but I quite wet. How dry need to be the soil to be dug? For me look moist but I know how many plants I killed in past and I doubt myself.
I don't want to do more damage then good.

[Stu8706]

Sarivo

I don't know a lot but I have read that you should not dig if the mud sticks to the spade.

That's my excuse for not digging for the last 2 months and I'm sticking to it.

Stu




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[Methe]

I'd be really interested in the answer to this question too

[Aberdeenplotter]

If the ground is wet and soggy, the probability is that you will end up compacting the soil behind you as you dig making the job much harder. Best to wait until the soil is at least dry on the surface before you tackle this task. It can be difficult after a spell of weather like we have experienced recently but the dry days will come again so be patient meantime.

[Martin H]

If you do try and dig, stand on a plank to keep the soil from compacting.

[Sarico]

The spade trick is a good one. The soil didn't stick to the spade. I know a lot of the down side digging wet soil but how wet I didn't know. I'm worry because being a long waiting list they give a dead time for the new be by the end of march and if the plot is not ready for planting they will take ASAP. I think they will understand that due to weather conditions may be difficult to do all the job. I did pretty well in my first 2 weeks and the chairman was impressed that a 23rd old man could be so interested in growing veg. I don't want now he thinks that I don't care and give up already.

[Stu8706]

That's a bit harsh. I have been told as long as I do something there will be no questions asked. The chairman said even if I wanted to dig 1 small raised bed a year and leave the rest as grass they would be happy.


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[Stu8706]

Oh and I forgot.

Good job on digging it over so far.

Stu


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[Sarico]

Well they change the rule because he's hammered by people saying : why I can't have that plot or even half considered that is not fully cultivate or over grown? For this reason they even halves some people plot that they were just growing few thing.

[Stu8706]

I can understand why they do it. Nothing worse than seeing weeds all over a plot. There is one plot next to me that took over the same time as me and has done nothing!!! I might ask to swap it's twice the size of mine....


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[RaptorUK]

Hi everyone
Last month I got the allotment and considered the weather was nice I started to Dig. Everything was ok and I manage to dig half plot and get most of the weed out then the weather got rubbish and I don't know what to do. What I mean in the title how to dig Is that today I went the the plot considered that we didn't have a lot of rain yesterday but the soil is not wet and soggy but I quite wet. How dry need to be the soil to be dug? For me look moist but I know how many plants I killed in past and I doubt myself.
I don't want to do more damage then good.

It depends on many factors, for example your soil type, if you have clay it will stay "wet" for longer than if you have sandy loam . . . I have sandy loam with good drainage and I "dug" whenever I had the opportunity.

I didn't use a spade though I used a fork and lifted the soil and shook the fork so it was broken up as it passed through the tines, this allows you to break up a compacted soil and remove weed roots and get some air into the soil at the same time. . . despite my plot looking OK when I took it over there were a lot of weed roots.

[Sarico]

It depends on many factors, for example your soil type, if you have clay it will stay "wet" for longer than if you have sandy loam . . . I have sandy loam with good drainage and I "dug" whenever I had the opportunity.

I didn't use a spade though I used a fork and lifted the soil and shook the fork so it was broken up as it passed through the tines, this allows you to break up a compacted soil and remove weed roots and get some air into the soil at the same time. . . despite my plot looking OK when I took it over there were a lot of weed roots.

well my soil is in between and i did use as well a fork and the big clump of soil they did break when i turn them over so that made me think that was ok to dig but i didn't want to risk before some of yours suggestion....

[Bigmallly]

Heyup Sarico, long time no see, welcome back & congrats on your new plot.

[kathyd]

Sarico - if time gets very short and you're worried, you can always cover your soil with a mulch - eg cardboard and grass clippings, or cheap black weed control fabric - so it looks better! And then plant through that this year if necessary .

[Sarico]

Heyup Sarico, long time no see, welcome back & congrats on your new plot.

Well a lot happen. I got married we had a baby, then a new job just 5 min walking from home ( before I use to drive 30 miles) then the new allotment. I've been very busy in the last year. Good idea I was thinking maybe I leave the last one as no dig plot so I can see which one to choose. Plus soon I will take my polytunnel half broken from the wind to the plot so they can see something else happen.