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  • soil to compacted

    Hi have sown all our seeds,only problem i have is the ground under the veg is so solid that the vegetables cant push through the soil,parsnips are starting to fork and other crops the same,I dug down about 3inches then the ground is very hard,is there something i can add to the soil so that the roots can penetrate the soil.thanks need help on this one.

  • #2
    Hi

    Your will either have to use raised beds but you may well have drainage issues still or you will have to bite the bullet and attack it with a pickaxe or fork depending how compacted the soil is. There is not really an easy option with this one.

    Dave
    Last edited by dave_norm_smith; 22-07-2011, 11:33 AM.
    Fantasy reminds us that the soul is sane but the universe is wild and full of marvels

    http://thefrontyardblog.blogspot.com/

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    • #3
      Can only really think of a good soaking with water .fine mist through a sprinkler head ..a few hours so it penetrates the top soil and soften the sub soil below that would help the roots penetrate easier ..Other than that a good dig and fork it over to loosen it
      Last edited by Germinater; 22-07-2011, 11:37 AM.
      My year log of growthhttp://http://backgardenfarm.blogspot.com/
      up dated blog 27th june ..pls read if u have the time
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e0YjOHl2zI

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      • #4
        Hi thanks both,the soil is easy when i turned it over before planting,but now the crops are growing it seems as though the water makes the soil solid,maybe i need to add something to make it pliable ie compost,sand ?

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        • #5
          Ah, thats different then. Its probably too late for this year but double dig it next year and add as much humus/compost etc as you can get your hands on. It sounds like you need to open up the soil structure. A good green manure would also help to build up your reserves to dig in for next year.
          Fantasy reminds us that the soul is sane but the universe is wild and full of marvels

          http://thefrontyardblog.blogspot.com/

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          • #6
            I take it you are gardening on clay soil then. You need to add as much organic matter as you can, e.g. home made compost, well rotted animal manure. Best way is probably to add this to empty beds/areas and let the worms work it down into the soil.

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            • #7
              If the ground was dug over properly and broken down to a fine tilth before sowing , there should be no problem with compaction. I do take the point made by others about adding organic matter etc but of course this doesn't suit roots like carrots and parsnips. Clay can be a demanding master but it does provide superb growing conditions if sufficient preparatory work is done
              Last edited by Aberdeenplotter; 22-07-2011, 09:11 PM. Reason: correction of spelling error

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              • #8
                Looks like you need to roll your sleeves up and get digging ducky! Welcome to the Vine by the way.
                Granny on the Game in Sheffield

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                • #9
                  soil to compacted

                  thanks everyone for your replies will work on it next year,then see what happens.

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                  • #10
                    Indian, I hope I can give you some encouragement here. I started this garden five years ago on heavy soil derived from boulder clay. I dug it for the first three years and added masses of compost, seaweed and horse manure. I've now gone no-dig and just add a thick layer of compost as the ground becomes clear at the end of the season. My soil now has an open texture and is producing bumper crops for me.

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                    • #11
                      Yes - do persist. Our flower 'beds' in the garden were dreadful when we moved in to this house - the soil was about 4 inches deep before you hit a thick layer of yellowish clay. Over the past three years I have added homemade compost, lawn clippings, turves removed from the lawn where we put the greenhouse, well-rotted FYM and worked it all in gradually, allowing the worms to do the same. Now I can get a spade in at least 15 inches and stuff actually grows!

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