Spread ?, or dig in?

[PeterVV]

Compost that is!, anyone use the no dig method? Ihave taken over a half plot and dug in some compost in the main bed, but one of the smaller beds I am going to spread , and then dig in in the spring.Not sure if there is any benefit?

[PeterVV]

[manicscousers]

we take out the nasty weeds, cover with thick cardboard the pile the compost on top, usually in autumn, however, due to all sorts of reasons, we still have 3 beds to do which will be in the next couple of weeks, these will be planted up with spuds in march  :)

[grannyjanny]

Peter have you had a look at Charles Dowding's site, it makes very interesting reading. We helped with our daughters new half plot last year. OH double dug the whole area & then we put a thick layer of very well rotted manure over the site. The results were amazing. It hadn't been tended for 9 years hence the double dig to begin with. It got rid of the carpets, weed membranes etc.

[Robert_Brenchley]

No dig's a lot less work than annual digging, and it's probably better for the soil. The trick is to get all the perennial weeds out, then keep on top of it.

[PeterVV]

Peter have you had a look at Charles Dowding's site, it makes very interesting reading. We helped with our daughters new half plot last year. OH double dug the whole area & then we put a thick layer of very well rotted manure over the site. The results were amazing. It hadn't been tended for 9 years hence the double dig to begin with. It got rid of the carpets, weed membranes etc.

I would love to have the time to double dig , but its just not possible, I have dug ( most of ) it over and got all the weeds out, best I can do.

[cornykev]

I've been thinking about covering with cardboard then covering with council compost, but my two worries are that  1.  the slugs and other nasties will have somewhere to hide and keep warm and  2.  I always like the cold and frost to get into the soil for varies reasons,but it seems to work for others, I think I had the same dilemma last year and went with leaving it open to the elements as I do like to see a slug suffer.   ;)       ;D ;D ;D

[manicscousers]

we've tried it both ways, Ck, still get slugs either way  ;D
Whatever works for you, PeterVV

[grannyjanny]

We are fortunate to have the time as OH & I are OAP but the state the plot was in there was no other alternative but if your plot has been worked you really only need to take out the perennial weeds as Robert  & Manic have said. Our daughter works full time & has 3 children so she needs a time saving method & the no dig ticks the boxes for her.

[PeterVV]

I have always put compost on the ground, never heard of putting cardboard down first? what does that do? does it break down quickly?

[Robert_Brenchley]

It takes a while - so put loads of mulch on top and don't plant roots on it - but meanwhile it smothers the weeds.

[jimtheworzel]

I have always put compost on the ground, never heard of putting cardboard down first? what does that do? does it break down quickly?

??? ??? ???

[tonybloke]

I have always put compost on the ground, never heard of putting cardboard down first? what does that do? does it break down quickly?

in the autumn,
wet the cardboard first, then a layer of manure/compost, cover with straw.
worms love cardboard, it protects them from predators, and is easy to digest (for worms) the cardboard will be gone by april

[PeterVV]

Unfortunately, I dont have any compost or straw, and I doubt that I would have enough cardboard for the ammount of bare earth I have! , but if I do get some compost next year will definately try it.
I have spread some ( bought soil improver / compost mix down on some beds.

[tonybloke]

get a trailer load of manure!!

[Robert_Brenchley]

Make sure it's not contaminated with aminopyralid if you do!