Total newbie in need of help!

We've had so much rain here. Do I try to keep on digging on wet sticky clay soil or wait a bit until it gets a bit drier? I've tried to dig in sand and compost, but end up in a squelchy, sticky mess. Am I compacting the soil more by continuing?

I would like a veg patch and I'm very conscious that seeds (green beans, peas, sweet corn, etc) need to be planted by now. Any help would be gratefully received.

Ellie

On Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:36:38 +0100, ElleJay
wrote:


Total newbie in need of help!

We've had so much rain here. Do I try to keep on digging on wet sticky
clay soil or wait a bit until it gets a bit drier? I've tried to dig in
sand and compost, but end up in a squelchy, sticky mess. Am I compacting
the soil more by continuing?

I would like a veg patch and I'm very conscious that seeds (green
beans, peas, sweet corn, etc) need to be planted by now. Any help would
be gratefully received.

Ellie

Where are you located? Corn and green beans both like fairly warm soil
to germinate. I've got my peas in (mid TN) but will wait a week or so
before putting in beans. (No corn for me this year.)

I would wait until the soil dried out some - I've ended up with rock
sized soil when working it too wet.

Kate

Hi Kate,

Thanks for your reply. I live in the South of France. We've had loads of rain recently. The soil I think is quite fertile, but is rock hard when dry. I'm freaking out because I haven't had chance to work the soil. I have read for clay soil, it's best to dig in organic matter and sharp sand. I've tried, but only managed to do a bit before giving up. I feel so despondent. I'm not sure I'm doing any good and am worried that I will end up compacting the ground further.

I have managed to get some horse manure, but I think it is a mixture of fresh and composted manure (not too sure). Is it still ok to use it under peas and other veg? I've read it may burn the roots. I also have a rotavator, but it is just too wet to use it. The weather may not clear up until end of the week, but if I wait for the soil to dry out, I will be even later before I am able to put seeds in. Sorry for all the questions. I work full time and long hours, but I so want to do this.

Great forum. Everybody seems so helpful.

Thanks again.

Ellie

ElleJay wrote:
Total newbie in need of help!

We've had so much rain here. Do I try to keep on digging on wet sticky
clay soil or wait a bit until it gets a bit drier? I've tried to dig
in sand and compost, but end up in a squelchy, sticky mess. Am I
compacting the soil more by continuing?


Yes you are making it worse. Try not to work clay soil if it is wet.

I would like a veg patch and I'm very conscious that seeds (green
beans, peas, sweet corn, etc) need to be planted by now. Any help
would be gratefully received.

Ellie

Better to wait a bit until the soil dries somewhat unless your growing
season is critically short.

Some seeds which are traditionally sown direct (because the seedlings resent
having their roots disturbed by tranplanting) and others are usually sown in
trays and transplanted. The sort that don't mind transplanting you could
sow in trays and wait for the soil to dry without losing time. The seed
packet or any good gardening book will tell you which is which.

The former can if fact be sown in pots in some conditions, this can give you
a few weeks of growth while you wait for the soil to be ready, or for the
last frost to pass or whatever. For example most people will sow curcurbits
(pumpkins, squash etc) directly. I sow them singly in small tubes (about
6in,15cm high and 2in, 5cm wide) They can then be planted out without
transplant shock because the slug of soil comes out of the tube in one lump
and leaves the roots alone.

David

"ElleJay" wrote in message
We've had so much rain here. Do I try to keep on digging on wet sticky
clay soil or wait a bit until it gets a bit drier?


Don't dig in wet clay; it will just compact it more. You may want to try
what I do.

I have heavy clay soil, and I don't even bother trying to seed it. I put a
few layers of chopped-up organic stuff like grass and leaves where I want to
make a bed (even an inch will do; you just want to get it up off the clay),
and then sprinkle some bagged dirt or compost over it to plant seeds. The
roots will grow down and break up the clay, the organic stuff will encourage
the earthworms to appear, and the entire lot will break down to nice, mellow
soil in a year.
--S.

In article ,
"Suzanne D." wrote:

"ElleJay" wrote in message
We've had so much rain here. Do I try to keep on digging on wet sticky
clay soil or wait a bit until it gets a bit drier?


Don't dig in wet clay; it will just compact it more. You may want to try
what I do.

I have heavy clay soil, and I don't even bother trying to seed it. I put a
few layers of chopped-up organic stuff like grass and leaves where I want to
make a bed (even an inch will do; you just want to get it up off the clay),
and then sprinkle some bagged dirt or compost over it to plant seeds. The
roots will grow down and break up the clay, the organic stuff will encourage
the earthworms to appear, and the entire lot will break down to nice, mellow
soil in a year.
--S.
ElleJay can save time if she waits until the clay doesn't stck to her
shovel to amend her soil with organic material ( 5 - 10%), including
manure, and sand. Soil composition in the root zone should "eventually"
be 20 - 30% clay, 30 - 50% silt, 30 - 50% sand. Once soil is amended
a garden can be planted, which once established, should be mulched
(alfalfa is ideal). At the end of the season, or now if no crop is
planted, sow area with buckwheat or rye, as they produce incredible
amounts of roots which will aerate the soil and allow for draining.
Nitrogen fixing plants like clover or pulses are also helpful for
fertility of the soil but the buckwheat or rye will lossen the soil
quicker.

Under NO circumstances add CHEMICAL FERTILIZER$, which cause harm to
leaf crops and kill soil microbes that make soil naturally fertile. If
you have any questions about this approach, "google" lasagna gardening
and check you library for "Teaming with Microbes: A Gardener's Guide to
the Soil Food Web"
by Jeff Lowenfels and Wayne Lewis
http://www.amazon.com/Teaming-Microb.../dp/0881927775
/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206815176&sr= 1-1

Everything is easy, once you know how.

We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us.* When
we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it
with love and respect.* ~Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac
--

- Billy
"For the first time in the history of the world, every human being
is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the
moment of conception until death." - Rachel Carson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI29wVQN8Go

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1072040.html

Hi,

Thank you so much for all your comments and advice. Not many people I know like gardening, so being part of this community is inspiring.

Thanks again.

Ellie