[Phil RParticipant]

Hmmm, “certified weed free” could mean sprayed…. I would test it with some lettuce. :O)

[Phil RParticipant]

Sounds great Gary, well done. I would just add that when adding so much manure in such a thick layer you would be wise to tread down the first half, lower layer, before adding the the top half and treading it down firm too. This is just to ensure that the crops you grow don’t dry out when the top layer of composted manure dries out as manure does. You want it quite firm, just not compacted. I have converted quite a few people on my allotment site and there will be more no doubt. I do sometimes give them a few reminders, like treading down their manure based beds. At first people were sceptical, then complimentary about the lack of weeds and then something amazing happened, I won the best new tenant in the Cheltenham borough council allotment awards. (800+ plots) A fancy ceremony with the mayor and a nice silver trophy covered with names dating back to the 60s. Then a story in the local newspaper about me and “my” no-dig method. After that happened I gained a lot of credibility and many people on our site took notice and ordered record amounts of horse manure from my manure supplying farmer. He ran out of horse manure and started collecting it from other farms, ha ha. I will be putting up a thread on the no dig part of this forum when I’m not quite so busy. I doubled the size of my no dig plot this year and made it hard for myself by starting late (March), almost there now though. I found my old thread on this forum about how I started but the photos are not there any more as I think Charles has changed the forum software since then. I have the whole thing documented with photos though so hopefully I can get them up here soon. Keep it up Gary, good luck mate. :O)

[Phil RParticipant]

5 pallets arranged as two open fronted bays make a great system for turning your compost.

[Phil RParticipant]

I moved some of the potato pots off the beds this morning, where they were keeping out of the way, and noticed a couple of red composting worms underneath on top of the beds. I didn’t see any worms when I was making the beds. Going to get some plants in them after they’ve been there for a week. Beans are flying away and some of my 1st early “Colleen” are about to open flower buds. :o)

[Phil RParticipant]

Personally I don’t know if it works but have been given that advice by one of our allotment wardens. Worth a go if you eat eggs. Just crush them up and spread around plants.

[Phil RParticipant]

Yes I certainly will Jeanette. I’m keen to get things growing as right now I have the only clean but empty plot on the allotment.☺

 

 

 

[Phil RParticipant]

My “Colleen” first earlys are also showing flowers, not quite open yet but still very exciting for someone who hasn’t grown veg before. I’ll savour these when I crop my first ones. )

[Phil RParticipant]

.. know it sounds obvious, flies around muck and all, but there were rather alot yesterday. I suppose they disappear after a while? When it surface drys?

 

[Phil RParticipant]

some more photos

[Phil RParticipant]

Hi, I’ve noticed lots and lots of small flies around this load and where ever I put some, is that normal?

[Phil RParticipant]

Thanks for getting back before I leave for the allotment Charles. Very much appreciated. 

[Phil RParticipant]

Thanks Charles, I’ve never seen anything quite like it. Do you think I should even bother with the”green waste” when this stuff is so well composted? I’m thinking maybe I should just keep spreading this EVERYWHERE, paths n all? Thanks again your reassuring and prompt reply. :o)

 

[Phil RParticipant]

some photos (hopefully)

[Phil RParticipant]

Thanks Charles, that’s just the kind of direction I needed. I’ll let you know how it goes. Concentrating on setting up and covering everything and getting a shed and poly-tunnel up before I start the growing. Thanks again, :o)

[Phil RParticipant]

…I also have 30kg of rock dust which i was planning to spread over the top to help “re-mineralise” the soil as it’s been an allotment for a while now. Thanks. )

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