Re: Neglected raised beds
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 6:23 am
Hi David,
I am not sure what you mean about 'Manure in the same year for Cabbages.' For the successful growing of Brassicas the manure should be dug in when you prepare the bed the previous autumn but if you didn't quite get around to do that digging on time, as I so frequently fail to, I carry on and incorporate as soon as possible. I have yet to have a season when my Brassicas have been below par. I have only just finished picking the last of my Brussels Sprouts (Variety Seven Hills) and they have been a really wonderful crop this harvest. With three year old manure if you incorporate when you dig now will be fine. Fresh manure is not a good idea but that really depends on which crop you are proposing to grow. As I mentioned earlier, Potatoes actually prefer an acidic condition but Cabbages prefer an alkali condition so fresh manure would not be appropriate. Do not Manure and Lime in the same year as one counteracts the other and no benefit is gained. My soil is naturally PH7 and I have not limed here for donkeys years although my plots get one form or another of manure every year it doesn't seem to alter the PH.
JB.
I am not sure what you mean about 'Manure in the same year for Cabbages.' For the successful growing of Brassicas the manure should be dug in when you prepare the bed the previous autumn but if you didn't quite get around to do that digging on time, as I so frequently fail to, I carry on and incorporate as soon as possible. I have yet to have a season when my Brassicas have been below par. I have only just finished picking the last of my Brussels Sprouts (Variety Seven Hills) and they have been a really wonderful crop this harvest. With three year old manure if you incorporate when you dig now will be fine. Fresh manure is not a good idea but that really depends on which crop you are proposing to grow. As I mentioned earlier, Potatoes actually prefer an acidic condition but Cabbages prefer an alkali condition so fresh manure would not be appropriate. Do not Manure and Lime in the same year as one counteracts the other and no benefit is gained. My soil is naturally PH7 and I have not limed here for donkeys years although my plots get one form or another of manure every year it doesn't seem to alter the PH.
JB.