Preparing plot is key to growing your own veg
THERE is nothing more rewarding or satisfying than growing and eating your own home grown vegetables.
Vegetables are easy to grow, but the key is preparing the plot.
Start off by removing all weeds and any old plants from the area.
The waste material can be added to the compost heap, to go back into the earth in due course.
With vegetables, digging needs to be thorough, as depth is important. The spade needs to cut fully through the soil, to its full depth.
It then needs lifting and the soil turning. At this stage, leave the soil rough for a couple of weeks before breaking it down into a fine tilth with a garden fork or rake.
Incorporating organic material such as farmyard manure or home-produced compost is important.
It helps maintain soil structure, assists in the retention of water and adds beneficial nutrients.
However, not all crops will thrive in soil boosted with organic material. This is mainly root crops such as carrots, turnips etc.
Before adding any type of organic matter, make a plan of where your crops are to be grown, so you can decide where to add it.
Areas where root crops are to be grown will benefit from a general-purpose slow-release fertiliser.
This can be sprinkled over the ground after cultivation of the soil has taken place.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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