stehaggan Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 OK so I have weeded and dug over my beds all but 3. About 4 of my beds seem to have very hard clumpy soil, despite me turning and turning, so I was wondering if this would be the best thing to do so I can plant in them. To rotivate them (as they have been completely weeded) and then fill them with 4 year old rotted manure. Will I still be able to plant in them this year if It has rotted down or will I have to wait until next year? Any ideas would be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 I'd get some spuds in them in the next week or so as they'll help break it up a bit. Then when you've harvested the crop, add plenty of organic matter which you can either dig in, or if you're like me, you'll leave it to the worms to do the hard work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 I agree, spuds are the thing to clean up the ground! Well-rotted manure (especially if it's horse manure) should be ok to put plants in that you've raised elsewhere, but it's probably not suitable to sow seeds directly into. If it's chicken manure be very sure that it's well rotted, because it is quite 'hot' and can burn tender plants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddie Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 Dont plant carrots or parsnips in manured ground, i seem to remember, as it makes them "fork" peas etc love it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 keep digging hard clumpy ground won't help to break it up just break your spirit. bit late now but it would have been best dug and mucked last autum and left uncovered over winter the frost would have broke it up a treat.this year plant a crop of spuds in the lumpier beds the earthing up and harvesting will help to get the soil in shape for next year you will be able to plant this year my muck is 2.5 years old which is older than I normally use it I like it still with a bit of the straw left as it helps my soil to hold water better I grow on a sandy stoney soil with is short on top soil due to plot holder who had my plot before me scalping the weeds of instead of digging them up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Gypsum helps to break down clay soil - or clay breaker stuff initially. But best is to continue composting and manuring and it will soon turn out just fine. Perhaps if it is in very dry clumps, try a bit of water, let it soak through and then bash it with the rake or your fork. Brute force sometimes helps too - particulary if you are in a bad mood - quite satisfying and you soon feel better too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
