In article ,
net1961 wrote:

we have a fairly large plot that use to be a vegatable plot.but due to
my partner having bad ankles and me having back problems we can no
longer keep on top of it.we can't afford to pay a gardener so i have to
tackle it myself.but the soil is rock solid ,i can't even get a spade
into it.the weeds and clumps of grass are impoosible to dig up.the only
time it's easier to dig is after heavy rainfall .but even then i find
the rotovator bounces off the clods of soil once it has dried out.is
there any way i can get over these problems.i can't do too much at a
time because of my back.

Cover the area with 2 or 3 sheets of newsprint or a single sheet of
cardboard. Spread whatever types of soil amendments that you think you
may need (manure, rock phosphate, ect.) and cover with 2 - 3 in (5 - 8
cm) of alfalfa (lucern), and water the bed. Two weeks later, sow with
rye, or buckwheat (which will loosen the soil). Come spring, cover with
newsprint or cardboard, and alfalfa (lucern) as before, water it down,
and wait two weeks at least to plant. Maintain the mulch (alfalfa
[lucern]) by adding as needed.
--
Racial injustice, war, urban blight, and environmental rape have a common denominator in our exploitative economic system.*
~Channing E. Phillips

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