I am in the process of moving allotments and would like some advice on what to do with the soil on my new one. It has not grown anything for at least 6 years and is currently covered in twitch and brambles. What I would like to know is whether the soil will need any additional treatment or whether, having grown very little for such a long time, will be OK as it is. I am going to transfer my cane fruit across, so reckon those new beds will need manure, but will general crops be OK with what there is? The soil looks very good to me, much better than what I am used to working with.
I also have to transfer across some 10-year old asparagus crowns. Any advice on the best time to do this and any techniques I should deploy? Will I be able to harvest spears again straightaway?
Pepping up soil
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oldherbaceous
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Good evening Barry, before you move your raspberries you need to make sure that you have got all the twitch and brambles out as they will be a real problem for you in years to come if you don't.
I would also manure any ground you are using for a permanent crop.
The other ground should give an acceptable crop if given a general fertilizer a couple of weeks before sowing or setting.
As for the asparagus crowns, you will have to wait for an answer from someone in the know.
Kind regards Old Herbaceous.
Theres no fool like an old fool.
I would also manure any ground you are using for a permanent crop.
The other ground should give an acceptable crop if given a general fertilizer a couple of weeks before sowing or setting.
As for the asparagus crowns, you will have to wait for an answer from someone in the know.
Kind regards Old Herbaceous.
Theres no fool like an old fool.
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Jenny Green
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Sorry to be the bearer of sad tidings, Barry, but I've heard asparagus simply do not transfer at all well. 
(Formerly known as 'Organic Freak')
Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed.
Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed.
Nor do mature plum trees and yet one was moved on our allotments. Barry you have a choice - leave the asparagus to the next allotment holder and start again. Or risk it, move it and you may yet be starting again - on the other hand you may not! I'd move them when the fern dies back.
It's odd though, isn't it? I planted asparagus crowns ten years ago, which were maybe one or two years old and they thrived! This suggests that crowns ouught to be moveable! Luckily, I have two beds of asparagus on my old allotments, each as far as from the other as possible. I am thinking of maybe attempting to move the oldest bed, as well as planting a set of new crowns too on the new allotment, leaving the younger of the two established beds in place and maybe cultivating a rump of the old allotment. By the way, I am moving because I cannot stand the politics involved in the existing allotment and am lucky enough to have a choice of three other sites within 10 minutes of my house!!