down to earth: Question time
Is it OK to put fresh manure on a spare patch in the vege garden, and how can you tell when it’s had enough time to rot down?
It’s fine to put fresh manure onto the vegetable garden. Soil organisms will start digesting it, incorporating it into the soil. This process will vary with different soils, microclimates and season. In general it would be best to wait about a month before planting crops, otherwise your plants may well be digested as well!
When’s the best time of year to rest part of your vege garden?
Typically over winter, from the end of autumn harvest to spring planting. This is the time that organic matter is being returned to the soil, building up soil life and nutrients ready for the spring flush.
Are cloches or covers useful at this time of year, or is it best to expose seedlings to the sunshine?
Using cloches in winter will raise the soil and air temperature in the vegetable garden. This helps seedlings grow and reduces the chance of frost damage. Removing the cloches during sunny days will definitely help too.
I have some big patches of shadow on the vegetable garden until about 10.30 in the mornings at the moment. Would it be worth doing some pruning to improve the light for next winter?
Pruning trees to increase the sun hours on your garden is an important annual maintenance practice. In winter more sun usually means more growth. So get cutting!! And remember to shred those prunings onto your orchard and ornamental areas.
