How to get a fine tilth?

[Cosmo and Dibs]

I have dug 2/3s of my new plot, having had it since March. I've got several things growing, and most are doing well.

The problem is that after doing my best at digging and breaking up the soil, I'm left with big clumps all over the surface (and below). I have tried to break up each clump, but it is very labour intensive.

The clumps mean that I cannot directly sow seeds- certainly not small ones like spring onions. I did try spring onions but not one has germinated after 4 weeks, and I blame the clumps.

I need it finely tilled to sow direct.

How can I achieve it for next year (or even this year)? Do I need a rotavator?

My only idea would be to dig over the soil as best I can in the autumn and let the frosts break it down over the winter........? Will that work for next March?

[Flummery]

Raking after rain works for me. It's good for the stomach muscles! Neigbouring allotment holders use a tiller which is so much quicker and does seem to produce fine dust. It's up to you, but it can involve hard work.

[Hans Mum]

get one of these

World of Wolf - Wolf Garten Soil Miller - DAM The DA-M multi-star® Soil Miller is truly multi-talented. As a universal gardening tool, it is suitable for seed bed preparation and maintenance. While the pendulum blade is cutting weeds, thanks to the s

there's a thread on it here

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ols_31481.html

[Galileo]

I have the same problem. I have new raised beds with lots of lumps. Add plenty of organic matter and over time this will help. But for now not all plants need a fine tilth for example transplants.

Fine seeds do however. Bob Flowerdews method in his book "The no work garden" is make small areas the size of a large coin or so every few feet and to sow a few seeds in each small area. Cover with fine soil or use potting compost. I use potting compost as it marks the spot for later weeding. This reduces the work of getting a whole row to a fine tilth.

This also reduces the work of thinning out later. To save work only get a fine tilth at each spot where you need it. In time with organic matter added the soil will improve and it will be easier.

But for now the above method works well.

[NOG]

It also depends on the type of the soil....if you are on clay you need to add organic material to help break it up.

I would till it with a small rotovator....adding compost as I go.

[NOG]

Also I wouln't seed directly in the bed...I plant at home or in a seed bed and then transplant.

[Two_Sheds]

Also I wouln't seed directly in the bed...I plant at home or in a seed bed and then transplant.

Yes, that's what I would suggest.
I have soil that caps to a hard crust, the rest is quick-draining sand By planting out loo-rolls (with plants in them) I am always adding goodness to the soil, as well as getting my plants off to a good start.

[Cosmo and Dibs]

Yes, that's what I would suggest.
I have soil that caps to a hard crust, the rest is quick-draining sand By planting out loo-rolls (with plants in them) I am always adding goodness to the soil, as well as getting my plants off to a good start.

Can you do carrots in newspaper/loo paper pots, too?

[Farmer_Gyles]

clumpy soil can still be raked fairly fine - trick is to do it after it's rained and dried out a bit - the daytime after an overnight shower is fairly good - if no rain, give it a good watering hte night before

[elizajay]

I have one of those and the clay clings round it.....so I keep having to clear it.

[Alice]

A fine tilth - well it takes time and depending on what you start with it might take years to achieve.

If you want to direct sow in clumpy soil then scratch out a row and fill it with compost.

As for your carrots, if the ground is too lumpy you can grow them in containers of compost. They do well there.

[NOG]

Can you do carrots in newspaper/loo paper pots, too?

Yes....you can do anything in tubes as you are not disterbing the roots.

[zazen999]

There's always sieving. I do a small bed a year, so eventually the whole plot will get done.

[Lemon]

Can you do carrots in newspaper/loo paper pots, too?

You can. I did them in peat pots last year before planting out but I would suggest breaking the bottom of pot off when you plant out as the bottom stops the carrot from growing downwards. I had carrots with curly-wurly piglet tails!

[Dynamo]

You can also have too fine a tilth. My soil is great to work with and goes to a very fine tilth with ease. There's two problems with it though. Firstly it doesn't hold the water very long and, especially with new seeds, you need to keep them watered all the time.

The second problem is that the top of the soil cakes, so you need to water very carefully or it will run off and you also need to break it up when you can. The way round it is the same as when you have a heavy soil and that is to add loads of organic matter.

When I plant seeds now, I create a sort of crater for them so that the water stays put where its needed instead of running off.