advice please

[Russian Doll]

just been in the garden to have a look at what will be my new veg patch next spring...the earth is full of crap....and its rock hard

please please advise on best way to prepare

[Thomzo]

Raised beds.

Depending on what you are planting, they don't have to be very deep (i.e. you don't have to spend a fortune on compost). The roots will break up the underlying soil and putting compost on top will attract worms which will help to break up the soil underneath.

Zoe

[Annpan]

How big is the bed?

What kind of crap?

What do you want to grow?

First thing for us when we moved in here was to get a compost heap on the go. So that would be a fine start.

[Green Aura]

In the garden in our new house we discovered it was full of rubble - ex MOD buildings and junk. We put in raised beds ~1m2 so we've only had to clear the stones from those areas. We dug them 1 spade depth, put cardboard in the bottom, backfilled and added compost to each one so we've got about 2 spades depth for growing (if that makes sense).

I agree with Annpan - get your compost heap going ASAP - it's dear stuff.

Is the ground rock hard because it's clay, full of rubble or cold (although I guess it's a bit early for the latter). If it's clay you can brave it, dig it up and plant spuds to help break it down better for next year. Or you can chop it up a bit and scatter some Claybreaker on it over winter.

[Rod in Japan]

Dig out the crap and dig in any organic material you can get your hands on. Then make raised beds. It might be best to tackle one area at a time and do it thoroughly.

Knowing that I had crap in my soil would make me unhappy, so I would (and did) remove it.

[Russian Doll]

i think the soil itself is okay it hasnt been used for anything before expet a dumping ground....

annpan i want to plant all sorts of veg in it....i have a bin for potaotes already...but was basically thinking carrots pupmkins...tomatoes

also does anyone know where i can get avery cheap small greenhouse from

[Annpan]

At the right time of year pound-stretchers do mini green houses for £10.

If you want to grow carrots you are going to need quite a deep bed, up to around 2 feet deep.

Dig over the patch removing the three Rs (Rubbish, Rocks and Roots) and begin making compost as soon as possible. You might want to buy a few bags of compost to dig in as well, just to get you started sooner.

[mrsflibble]

wilkinson do the same as pound stretcher for the same price... just mentioning cos i dont know if theres a pound stretcher in grays, i know thers one in basildon tough, actually on the 100 route...