On Sep 24, 12:16*am, Carolyn
wrote:
Hello all, this is my first post and I would appreciate some advice
please. I plan to start a veg plot. The soil has been under turf for
years and I need to fertilise it but have read that one is not supposed
to use manure, why is this? What should I use instead? Thank you in
anticipation.........

Hullo. I'm surprised that your book advised you not to manure. I would
think this advise came in the context of a new plot, like you
described, which hasn't been digged and looked after. Weeds, stones
and bricks, hard stems and whatnots need to be removed. You'll be
surprise what you find underneath turf - I found a lovely collection
of bits of old ceramic tiles which I've used to make a mosaic
pattern )

Also, the advise you got is perhaps because you do not know what your
soil is like. Different crops need different soil conditions and
manure is very high in nitrogen: for example potatoes break down the
soil ready for another crop which would not need any more feeding the
following year. Some crop deplete the soil of nutrients. Rotating your
beds will prevent pest and disease build up too. For your potatoes you
ought to manure the previous autumn. Brassicas will need lime etc.
Some crops don't like disturbance and will be in longer than others,
like leeks for example.

Make a plan of your plot and write down what you want to grow. Don't
be too ambitious at first! You can do a 3 year, 4 year or even a 5
years, depending how big is your plot and how much you want to grow.
Start with a simple 3 year rotation and see how you do. Potatoes are
followed by roots and then it's brassicas and alliums (oinions,
garlic). Courgettes, marrows, sweetcorns are planted wherever.

Don't forget flowers, herbs, all good for pollinating insects and
pests control. There's also companion planting which you ought to look
at. Some crops don't like to grow next to others, whilst some will
benefit growing together. For example carrots like growing next to
rosemary, oinions family, sage etc. whilst beans don't like growing
next to oinions.

Once you've cleared your plot, and you can do this in sections, you
can also use green manure, and now would be best to use phacellia or
rye, You sow and let it grow till early spring and turn over the whole
plant to enrich your soil. You can do this if you have empty plots
over winter. Some people cover their grounds with carpet. I use
cardboard and my own compost, which is low in nitrogen.

It is more simple than it looks. But as Janet suggested, a good book
about growing veg will help you understand the family of vegetables,
to dig or not to dig, and the rest is entirely up to you. There's no
rule except that you must enjoy it )

I'll recommend Organic Gardening by Lawrence Hill and Fruit and
Vegetable from Seeds by Richard Gorer. Good luck!