Green Waste Compost Vs Composted Bark Vs Manure

[CarlC]

I have a heavily clay soil allotment.When i say heavy clay i mean heavy clay, when it`s been raining it is all sticky and when you dig it or stand on it, it compacts like playdo lol,but when it`s dry it is to hard to dig.
And well i`ve been wanting to get something to improve it for ages(like over a year) and i haven`t had the money.Till now.
And so i`ve been browsing on the web at Turf and Stuff and i don`t know which is best for just improving the structure of the soil, so i can dig it easy(when i say easy i mean be able to lift it up with my hands,on a hot dry day)in all weathers,and when it rains it doesn`t go all sticky like clay,and when it`s hot,it is still diggable.
They are listed here:

• Composted Bark 1.5 m³ Composted Bark (1.5 m³) Suppliers. Buy Today, Free UK Delivery
• Green Waste Compost1 m³ Green Waste Compost (1 m³) Suppliers. Buy Today, Free UK Delivery
• Cow Manure 1 m³ Cow Manure (1 m³) Suppliers. Buy Today, Free UK Delivery

Thank for any help, and when is the best time to dig in compost/manure/bark or doesn`t it matter?

Thanks a million

Carl

[stupo74]

Hi Carl,
Firstly, "Welcome" to the forum, a great place for "All" things Gardening.

Not being an expert on soil structures, i think i will leave to those that have better knowledge,
The forum is a little quiet at this time, but i am sure Mr David T will be along shortly, he will give you a good idea, as to what would be best for you.
Good luck with the "New Seasons Growings" regards stupo

[DavidT]

Good evening Carl and welcome. Clay soil is the best soil you can have nutrient-wise, but in needs lots of organic material to open it up. The best materials being garden compost or rotted manure. Set up your own compost bins and turn your own green waste into a valuable commodity. Rather than pay through the nose from some website, why not pay a visit to your local stables and see what manure you can get from them? Allotment gardening is all about saving money. Talk to your fellow allotment holders and find out the best places to go to to get manure.

[CarlC]

Originally Posted by DavidT

Good evening Carl and welcome. Clay soil is the best soil you can have nutrient-wise, but in needs lots of organic material to open it up. The best materials being garden compost or rotted manure. Set up your own compost bins and turn your own green waste into a valuable commodity. Rather than pay through the nose from some website, why not pay a visit to your local stables and see what manure you can get from them? Allotment gardening is all about saving money. Talk to your fellow allotment holders and find out the best places to go to to get manure.

I would but i don`t know how long it takes to make compost.How long does it take to make compost from a normal plastic bin?
And on the stables thing,i thought of that but i don`t have a car or anything to transport it with.

Thanks for the replies.

[DavidT]

Have you asked if they can deliver? If you set up a 1m x 1m x 1m compost bin you can produce 1 ton of compost per year if done properly. It is well worth doing, even better if you can set up a suite of 3 bins. All you need to set thes up are 10 pallets.

[CarlC]

That`s mad! 1 ton a year haha.I can`t get hold of any pallets, what (wood) is a better subsitute?

Again thanks for the help appreciate it alot.

[DavidT]

It`s not mad, it`s fact. Actually, a cubic metre compost bin has a 1 ton capacity. May I ask how long you`ve had this allotment?

[CarlC]

Originally Posted by DavidT

It`s not mad, it`s fact. Actually, a cubic metre compost bin has a 1 ton capacity. May I ask how long you`ve had this allotment?

Bout a year or so.

[DavidT]

Do you talk to your fellow allotmenteers? Ask them where they get their manure, pallets and freebies from.

[CarlC]

I don`t see many people down there, when i actually go down there.Just wish i could get this compost lark sorted then i`d go down like every weekend.But i might pop down at the weekend and see what they say.

[DavidT]

Don`t worry too much about it Carl. The important thing is to dig the plot over. The sooner it is done the better. The frosts will break the soil down for you. When you get your compost/manure, it can be put on later as a mulch.

[CarlC]

Ok,so like when you dig it over in the winter time and it`s left to the frost, does that improve the structure/make it easier to dig?
As i did it once before (after spending ages,and after alot of swearing haha)and well to me it has hardly changed, and i don`t want to sound lazy, but i don`t see the point in just digging it over and that`s it.But i spoke to "my neighbour" and he told me it does do some good to it.So does it?

[DavidT]

Carl, one of the most important jobs when it comes to veg growing is DIGGING. It has to be done. doing it in the autumn means that the winter frost will break it down to a nice tilth. But you MUST add humus to lighten and keep open, the soil. Which eventually makes it easy for you to dig. If you don`t want to bother digging, then look to the deep bed method of gardening.

[CarlC]

Originally Posted by DavidT

Carl, one of the most important jobs when it comes to veg growing is DIGGING. It has to be done. doing it in the autumn means that the winter frost will break it down to a nice tilth. But you MUST add humus to lighten and keep open, the soil. Which eventually makes it easy for you to dig. If you don`t want to bother digging, then look to the deep bed method of gardening.

It ain`t i don`t like digging, i love digging, but it`s when the soil doesn`t improve.So would you advise i dig it over now, and not put any compost in, then when i get compost,dig it over again?

Thanks for not getting arsy

[DavidT]

Dig it over, if you have compost then use it. There is no need to dig it in, You can spread it over the ground and the worms will take it down for you.

[CarlC]

okies i`ll just try and give it a quick dig over,if it ain`t rock hard with this frost.I might post some pics to show ya.

[Ben]

Hi Carl.

I too have a plot that has very very heavy clay soil! As David said, Clay is the most fertile of all soils as it holds onto nutrient ions better than any other. Getting organic matter into the soil is really important to help it drain, to add fertility, to help it darken and heat up faster in the spring, and also it helps the soil hold onto water for periods of drought. You should really aim to add 2 inches of orgnaic matter every year, and it maybe worth adding up to 4 inches or so initially.

If there's access to your site or near enough to it that you can wheel compost in in a barrow, search on the internet for green waste compost! There are companies all over the country who compost household/garden waste from the local council, and you can buy this stuff for cheap. Most will deliver it to your allotment as well, and it is usually of exellent quality.

You should definately make some compost bins. Compost is the absolute key to success. Palletts are about everywhere if you keep your eyes peeled. Supermarkets have them rund the back and are often happy for you to take them.

Personally I don't think digging is particuarly important. I don't dig my plot at all. All I do is mulch with 2 inches of compost and let the worms dig it in. There are so many arguments 'against digging' but for some reason everyone thinks its an important thing to do. If you do adopt a no dig policy which I strongy advise, just make sure you don't compact the soil or you will need to dig it. Having clearly defined paths and beds less than 1.5m wide will mean you never have to tread on the beds.

[Urban-Wombat]

Boy wish I had some clay.. at my place it's 100% sand