Chalky soil, what can I grow

General tips / questions on seeding & planting

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Southern Softie
KG Regular
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:24 am
Location: Hampshire

I have turned another 20ftx30ft part of my garden into a veg plot to go with the raised beds area I build last year. However, when I turned the soil over I found that a about half of the area has lots of small chalk lumps in it and I am not sure what to grow there. I had planned on using it for potatoes this year.

What veg will grow in such conditions or would I be best having the lot carted away?

Thanks and I am very much looking forward to my 2nd year as veg grower.
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garden_serf
KG Regular
Posts: 208
Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 1:05 pm
Location: Cornwall

Hi Southern Softie, Onions, garlic and leeks like lime rich soil. And the Brassicas too.
Potatoes are not too keen on lime.

You could build another raised bed on top, or add more orgainc matter.

I have looked at a chalky area before with the view to growing a mini vineyard. (The Champagne region in France is mostly Chalk).
Maybe a person's time would be as well spent raising food as raising money to buy food - Frank A. Clark.
Southern Softie
KG Regular
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:24 am
Location: Hampshire

Grapes.....now that I like :)
The ground is already raised about a foot in that area so raised beds are probably out for now. A have already planted a batch of garlic and onions but maybe I'll give a spring batch a go there too.
I'll have to put some potatoes in the less chalky bit as I don't have enough room to put them elsewhere. I'll let you know how they fair.
Thanks
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