Solitary chicken - need advice

[rabbitfluff]

After over 6 years on a waiting list I've finally got an allotment, but my question is what should I be doing at this time of year to get things ready for growing?

 

There are 11 beds of varying size, most are overgrown but not scarily so, so I'm hoping to get most of them cleared over the next few weeks. What should I be adding to the soil? Is it too late to dig manure through? (most things I've read suggest autumn to do this)

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

Edited January 28, 2015 by Guest

[sjp]

you need to start digging them over mainly to get the w0eeds and roots out we call it rough digging it'll open the soil up to the weather and wildlife, birds and foxes etc but mainly the birds which will pick of and bugs and grubs that you don't want in the soil don't cover the soil with carpet or plastic at this stage ( I'm not a fan of covering veg beds with in organic covering all it dose' is kill over the top growth of weeds and encourage slugs snails and other nasties ) as you need it open to the elements to help brake it up and wash any chemicals good or bad through the soil as for manuring if you have access to any well rotted manure compost wood chip or chicken bedding then it's not to late in the season to dig it in but it's not to important this year you can always use it as a mulch around most of the veg like beans brassicas corn squashes and especially spuds (my preferred method of growing them)

don't set unrealistic targets it's the quickest way to fall out of love with allotment gardening plus you've got at least 2 months (might be a bit longer in your part of the world) before you need to start planting.

start digging the brassica bed/s first as these need time to settle last thing you want is soft loose soil in them then the spud beds you'll need these first

take full advantage of dry and sunny days their a bonus this time of year coldish day are perfect digging days you soon get warm digging I've managed at least 3 days this month with out a hat or coat . I'll dig a bed if it's got less than an inch of frost in it, i.e. if it takes a spade or fork then it's digable in my book

[Valkyrie]

I wish I had done the no dig at our allotment. I am applying that in my garden after years of digging.

 

Have a look at the Charles Dowding books - very interesting. And less back breaking! You still have to persevere for the pernicious weeds but they go eventually.

 

It is still a bit early yet - too unpredictable weather - but start planning where you want things to go. Next decide on your veg. Spuds and leeks are good for clearing ground. If you are going to grow parsnips then you will need to cover the soil with something like plastic or fleece to warm the ground - they can be a pain in the bottom with germination, but they like warmth. I will probably do mine when the weather gets a warmer spell probably late Feb to March. Broad beans can be sown outdoors now. And I still haven't done mine yet, but will be popping them in the greenhouse as a starter.

[rabbitfluff]

Thank you for the replies - that's just what I was after. I'm hoping to get a day there this weekend to make a start, but there's still a covering of snow at the moment.