Stones in a new plot

[tumteetum]

How much do I need to worry about stones and old roots when I am going to mulch as recommended in the No Dig book?

I want to convert part of my lawn into a vegetable patch. The one end is currently an underused flower bed that once contained a climbing rose and there’s some 3/4″ thick dead roots. When I pulled on one it continued under the lawn across my designated veg patch.

There is an old tree stump the other end of the patch and I fear that it might not be practical to get all the roots up. I’m disabled and relying on my husband (who is not a gardener at all) to do the grunt work for me.

If I were to raise the beds would this counteract the problem? I’d prefer not to pay out to buy or even make raised beds if I can avoid it due to cost and limited budget.

It seems good soil but quite stoney. Should I worry about getting them all out or again will a thick mulch solve this?

Thanks very much. I’m very inspired by the No Dig method as my health means I can’t dig.

[tumteetum]

I forgot to say the area I have in mind is about 1.5 metres x 4 metres.

[charles]

 Your plot sounds ideal for a thick compost mulch, 4-6 inches if possible, with stones and roots left in place. Old roots will gradually rot, and help with drainage as they do and feed soil fungi. Stones often contain minerals and help with drainage too so they are not all bad, except for being awkward to work around when at the surface, so covering them with organic matter is good. I have a lot of stones which I never see, whereas the ploughed field above (same soil) has a lot of them on the surface.

Bed sides are not a necessary part of raised beds, unless you particularly want defined and tidy edges. You could cover the whole area to create a bed of 1.5m wide and 4m long, and you can tread on it to reach the middle if need be. Good luck.

[tumteetum]

That’s brilliant news and it makes a lot sense with things you discuss in the book. Thank you so much Charles

I’m really excited about preparing my plot, even more so now. I grew a few peas in a pot (rather unsuccessfully) last year and this year I’m growing lots of squashes, potatoes, some carrots, beetroot, cucumber, radish and spring onions in containers. I think I have the veg bug now! Cost me a lot in bought in compost and was sure there was a better way when I stumbled on your book and now I can have the veg plot I want. I’m also trying to make compost for the first year ever. So it’s all new and exciting. Thank you.

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