Broad beans
Bring back seedlings from home to the polytunnel.
Early sowings inside: broad beans.
- We need 12-16 plants later to be transplanted, spread along two rows on our 120cm bed.
- Use the same seed tray that we used for radishes and spinach, not the larger cell tray shown on the photo. There should be 20 spare cells.
- Fill and firm the compost in the modules and then make a small hole, deeper than the 'dimples' we used for radish, and press the beans so they are on their edge, rather than lying flat, below the surface. Water the compost after covering the seeds. Use the video on the radishes page as a reminder.
- Leave on the bench for a few weeks while the seeds germinate.
Plot preparation
- Use a spade or hoe to break up the lumpy manure if you wish.
- Use a hand trowel to lift any perennial weeds and dump them on the compost heap.
- Hoe thoroughly, including the woodchip path.
- Do the weeding and hoeing each week. It takes only 15 minutes or so to do your whole plot and it will keep your plot weed free.
- Add more woodchips to your paths if needed.
Turning the Compost Heap
- It can be useful to turn last year's compost into the second 'bin' to speed up the process of changing organic debris into compost that we can use on our plots. We are now advised to turn the heap - and bang on it when we walk past! - to deter vermin.
- We will line the new bin with cardboard to keep in the heat.
- Have a look at the way the lower layers are almost ready.
- This is a group effort so don't do it all on your own.
As a group we shall continue to spread compost on Plot 162.
No-dig gardening
We use the no-dig method popularised by Charles Dowding. Charles is very generous with spreading the word both on his website and youtube channel. We might even be able to do a Veg Course Field Trip to his open day in the Autumn.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB1J6siDdmhwah7q0O2WJBg