Tim Foster's last workshop was a great success - here is a summary of what he discussed written by Angie Tonge:
Gardening lecturer Tim Foster surprised the allotment holders attending the soil management workshop, by describing a method of gardening that does not involve digging. Tim explained that soil is made up of a network of minute fungi and other organisms that hold nutrients vital to a healthy loam. Fungi can even move nutrients from areas rich in certain compounds to areas that are depleted. Repeated digging unfortunately destroys this important soil structure, resulting in a nutrient poor soil.
As an alternative to digging Tim recommended using a tool of a pick shape with a blade at right angles to the handle. This tool has several names, one of which is the Chillington Hoe (also known as an Azada); it can be bought from a store in the Gloucester Road. The tool cuts away at the surface of the soil chopping at the roots of turf or weeds. The earth is then aerated by sticking a fork in at regular intervals and moving it about. The top surface of the soil can then be lightly disturbed with the fork. If sowing directly into the earth some compost can be incorporated to help start the seeds.
Persistent weeds like couch grass and bind weed will have to be dug out, but mare’s tail that clay soils are plagued with is actually bringing up nutrients from a depth of about six feet, these need only be hoed regularly and left as a mulch on the ground.
Tim stressed the value of green manure, considering it superior to farmyard manure as a source of organic matter. Instead of digging the green manure into the ground he suggested leaving it as mulch after cutting it down, organic matter exposed to the air has a faster rate of decay. Worms will do the work of incorporating the organic matter into the soil. As green manures decompose its nutrients are released; this provides food for the important fungi and bacteria. Green manure is inexpensive, is good for weed control, it adds nutrients and aids soil structure.
Tim also recommended a raised bed system as being beneficial for higher yields, the soil profile is deeper, better aerated and has improved drainage. To create the beds topsoil from the paths is removed and piled up on the bed area. Beds should be narrow enough so that work can be carried out from the paths. Raised beds can be supported with wooden shuttering or left without depending on finances. Paths can be left uncovered, or covered with a membrane and bark; the latter is better as it controls the weeds. Advantages of raised beds are, a greater depth of soil and limited soil compaction by walking on beds.
The workshop ended with Tim describing his method of growing potatoes without digging. After growing and mulching a green manure such as red clover he waters the ground well and lays black polythene on the mulch, the polythene has rows of holes cut 12 inches apart. He then nestles the potatoes in the holes drawing organic matter over the potato a little; a blob of compost is put on top of the potato to keep out the light. The new crop of potatoes will grow under the polythene and are easily harvested by lifting the sheet. Tim reuses the black plastic for his potatoes every year and apparently has good crops. It is difficult to believe that you don’t have to dig in the seed potato, but I am going to have a go.
Tim's next workshop is on 25th April at Alderman Moore's. It's on Seed Sowing - don't miss it!
- see the Calendar for more details..
Chillington Hoe looks like this:
It's also known as an Azada. I have used a couple of these 9" and 6" on my plot for a number of years. Definitely makes turning the soil easier (especially if you have a bad back) rather than using a spade. (Bob Corfield). See this website for more details.
