@AuntyRach the only things I can grow in the soil are chard and beetroot (planted out when quite big), sweetcorn/baby corn, onions and peas, anything else the gastropods have
The usual advice is hold off a little for first couple of weeks, watering well every 4-5 days. Then to water deeply every day or every other day, never let them dry out completely. Specifically the advice is to start the heavier watering with first earlies when the show, with main crop when they flower. Has been so dry here I'm already giving them a good soaking each night, even though they have not shown yet.
Oof, I wasn’t expecting such a commitment. Everyday for a couple of months - lockdown will have to last as long for that to happen
Have a look at Charles Dowding no dig web site he has videos on a small scale and a larger scale,I have found them very helpful,because now I am having trouble digging and kneeling I have gone onto no dig and am getting very good results because you can plant closer together.
Very interesting! And in the comments he even clarified “If I had watered, I would have said so”. So a dry season and only watered in the last three weeks, and a fair crop to my eye.
Sounds like you need a Thrush or two @bookmonster. I know you might not have this to hand but water retention crystals sprinkled around the plant have worked for me in the past. It doesn't look pretty but stops the munching, then later they can be just dug in. Best results for me were with green/french beans as it's just until they get far enough out of the ground that's needed. 🙂
Have a look at Charles Dowding no dig web site he has videos on a small scale and a larger scale,I have found them very helpful,because now I am having trouble digging and kneeling I have gone onto no dig and am getting very good results because you can plant closer together.
Very interesting! And in the comments he even clarified “If I had watered, I would have said so”. So a dry season and only watered in the last three weeks, and a fair crop to my eye.
There is a very a good book 'The Market Gardener' by Jean-Martin Fortier using the same methods. It is worth people checking out Richard Perkins on YouTube as well. The Fortier book takes the no dig method to small commercial scale, Richard is an all round advocate or regenerative farming who uses the method for veg. It is an incredibly productive system. Both go into a great deal of detail on the system, there are even now specific tools being produced standardized around it.
I tried wooden board raised beds for 5 years, results declined after 4, so went back to traditional methods for the last 10. This method though seems to be a long-term solution. I keep eyeing up our front lawn...
An update on my conservatory greenhouse. Everything potted on now. The lettuce and spring onions are in the ground, and been replaced with a few more flowers. Half the sweet peas are out and the rest will go out this weekend. Just about to sort the greenhouse out and transfer some of these in there this weekend.
Looking fantastic @purplerallim. I’ve potted-on Iceburg lettuce, beans and radish so far. The other veg are coming on nicely and have been going outside in a sheltered spot during the day. In the spirit of recycling, I found an old wooden bread bin box today so that will be receiving some drilled holes and I can use for one of the veg.
Some of my seedlings/small veg plants. Transplanted some of the peas to a big tub today, and a few are going to work colleagues (at least I can deliver them via work, so no ‘rules’ broken).
Posts
https://charlesdowding.co.uk/no-dig-potatoes-from-seed-to-harvest/
I tried wooden board raised beds for 5 years, results declined after 4, so went back to traditional methods for the last 10. This method though seems to be a long-term solution. I keep eyeing up our front lawn...
An update on my conservatory greenhouse. Everything potted on now. The lettuce and spring onions are in the ground, and been replaced with a few more flowers. Half the sweet peas are out and the rest will go out this weekend. Just about to sort the greenhouse out and transfer some of these in there this weekend.
I’ve potted-on Iceburg lettuce, beans and radish so far. The other veg are coming on nicely and have been going outside in a sheltered spot during the day.
In the spirit of recycling, I found an old wooden bread bin box today so that will be receiving some drilled holes and I can use for one of the veg.
Some of my seedlings/small veg plants. Transplanted some of the peas to a big tub today, and a few are going to work colleagues (at least I can deliver them via work, so no ‘rules’ broken).