Page 17 - Simply Vegetables Winter 2022/23

Soil preparation
RON NUTTALL
Have your gardening skills been put under concern after this dry summer? Following poor production many allotments have been left to look after themselves for the winter months.
Let’s get going with ideas to give you success next year! “Planning before Action”.
Bearing in mind that the record weight of a single potato is 10 lb 14 oz. and a marrow of 256 lb 9.8 oz. Where are you in the league of growers? I admit to being down in the ‘Third Division North,’ but I have enough interest and enthusiasm to climb the ladder for my own satisfaction and success at the local show.
I do not know all the secrets used by the top producers or I would be one of them! They are often highlighted in this magazine, and we may be able to copy some of their skills and produce a plausible plan to put into practice next year.
The answer lies in the soil
When planning forward for next year, best
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down to the roots after a dry week. Except where the potatoes will be
planted, an annual dressing of 2 oz. /sq. yard of lime is usually necessary to feed your plot for a season and ‘sweetens the soil’ but it is wise to check the soil pH before applying as too high a pH is not good for many vegetables. Along with any other plant food that you are adding, work them well into the topsoil to prevent them being leached away and wasted.
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advice is for double digging a third of your plot and generally putting into the ground as much organic matter as you can find. Followed by a regular disturbance of the soil surface with a fork to encourage weed growth and let air into the top layer.
It is possible to grow most plants in the allotment by digging well, using organic matter in the trenches and supplementing the topsoil with a balanced general fertilizer. Possible not worthwhile doing much more other than a thorough soaking
Simply Vegetables 17