Starting Up

[tommy85]

I have recently purchased your ‘Organic Gardening Book’ and I must say what a great book it is.
I’m new to vegetable growing and wondered if someone could give me some pointers? Our garden is on a bit of a slope and wondered if this will make things difficult when we adopt the no-dig raised bed method and if so, what we should do to overcome the problem, as i’m guessing leveling the area before creating the raised bed defeats the no-dig method? The area in question is currently turfed.

We need to add to our tool collection. In your book you list some essential tools, one being a copper ‘ridging tool’could I ask what this is and where I could get one? Also we dont have a hoe and wondered what sort would be best for the vegetable plot?
Any pointers would be much appreciated.

Many thanks
Tom

[charles]

 Good you like the book!
A slope is fine, run beds up and down for easier management, otherwise compost, water etc falls off the bottom side.You can terrace if you want, there is no rule about not digging to start with, but I doubt you need to.

I use the ridging tool for drawing drills to sow seed, but not often and could manage without it. Trowel, hoe and manure fork are the main tools I use, and a long dibber.

[tommy85]

Thanks Charles.

Having a look on the Implementations website they have a number of hoes availible such as the Hydra swing hoe or the Sirius, is there a particular type you find more useful for a veg plot?

[charles]

 Yes Tommy the Hydra is my favourite though hoeing is a personl thing and everybody likes different ones… the Hydra has a thin blade which cuts shallowly and cleanly, both ways, with minimal disturbance to lower levels of soil.

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