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Hi all.
Today I was stripping the sweetcorn plants out of the polytunnel - grown in raised beds inside.
Can anybody please let me know how much of the root system needs to come out of the soil as they're snapping at the base and a real pig to get the rest of the root out. I do want to replant asap but the amount of time to remove just 1 full root system means I'll be spending my next 6 weekends trying to clear them!
If the roots stay in will they eventually compost down? Or will they deprive the soil of goodness? I'm sure they'll get in the way of growing seedlings though.
Oh - and while removing one of the roots today I uncovered a HUGE chafergrub (google!) The girl pig ate it but if there was one is there likely to be more under the soil? Will I be able to plant in it? It was huge.
Last question (for now)! The sweetcorn plant stalks wouldn't shred (rubbish shredder?) but I wondered if I could dry them and use them as fuel for our multi-fuel stove? Has anybody ever tried this? I was thinking about sawing them into approx 20cm lengths and leaving them to dry in the garage and then maybe burning them next year. I'd be grateful if anybody has done anything similar.
Thanks a lot
Jennie
Today I was stripping the sweetcorn plants out of the polytunnel - grown in raised beds inside.
Can anybody please let me know how much of the root system needs to come out of the soil as they're snapping at the base and a real pig to get the rest of the root out. I do want to replant asap but the amount of time to remove just 1 full root system means I'll be spending my next 6 weekends trying to clear them!
If the roots stay in will they eventually compost down? Or will they deprive the soil of goodness? I'm sure they'll get in the way of growing seedlings though.
Oh - and while removing one of the roots today I uncovered a HUGE chafergrub (google!) The girl pig ate it but if there was one is there likely to be more under the soil? Will I be able to plant in it? It was huge.
Last question (for now)! The sweetcorn plant stalks wouldn't shred (rubbish shredder?) but I wondered if I could dry them and use them as fuel for our multi-fuel stove? Has anybody ever tried this? I was thinking about sawing them into approx 20cm lengths and leaving them to dry in the garage and then maybe burning them next year. I'd be grateful if anybody has done anything similar.
Thanks a lot
Jennie
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