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Question

Describe rotary cultivation

Answer 1

Mechanical cultivation - less strenuous In clay/wet, can compact or cause soil pan In dry, can produce too fine a tilth Remove perennial weeds - don't chop in!

Answer 2

Secondary cultivation is the final stage of preparation to achieve a good soil - a good surface tilth Fine seeds like a good tilth of small, even particles - a fine crumb (this retains moisture and nutrients - aids germination). Don't cultivate if soil is too wet/sticky/dry/dusty After winter, quickly go over with fork/hoe/rake/manual cultivator - breaks up surface clods and uneven surface Tramp lightly and rake surface in push-pull motion Larger seeds can have a larger crumb

Answer 3

Soil texture Soil structure Weather Climate

Answer 4

Too wet - will damage structure Winter into spring - too wet? Clay soils should never be worked when wet Frozen - impossible to work Later spring - cultivation can recommence Timings are called the "cultivation window" Window can vary - weather in north and south differ a lot Window is shorter in the north - soil takes longer to warm up Light, sandy or silty soils are better worked in the spring

Answer 5

Relatively small, separate beds in a garden or allotment Laid out in patterns, so that there are pathways adjacent or through the bed All parts of bed are accessible Beds should be 1.5m wide and 3m long Not necessary to step on soil Warms quicker if beds are raised (e.g. 30cm)

Answer 6

Long parallel drills or rows (e.g. kitchen garden) Access means walking on soil to maintain it More likely need to cultivate each year to relieve compaction

Answer 7

Typical raised bed is 1.5m wide and 3m long. Paths in between must be at least 50cm wide (1m if wheelchair is used) Bed height 30cm Better drainage in raised bed, .˙. warms up quick in spring, due to raised height Raised with walls - bricks or planks (with wooden pegs on outside) on side edges. Filled with quality topsoil enriched with OM Useful if plants require a specialised soil type different to underlying soil Do not have to have edges - soil can be thrown-up, creating chamfered edge between bed and path Can be built to any height - bricks are better when building high (can help disabled gardeners)

Answer 8

Minimises problems associated with disturbing the soil, e.g.: bringing weeds to surface soil degradation - loss of stability soil opened up, allowing in air and water spread of pests and diseases between beds (result of walking on soil) disturbance of organisms, e.g. worms No walking on beds so no compaction If beds are raised access is easy Less soil maintenance - digging, weeding etc.

Answer 9

Mark out beds - include narrow path Remove all weeds, esp. perennials Double dig if necessary - incorporate BOM Apply further OM to surface, to build up If no weeds or no cultivation needed: place layer of cardboard over surface** water cardboard thoroughly (helps breakdown) spread layer of OM over top, 10cm thick (holds down card and suppresses weeds) Interplanting or green manures maintain a dense cover on ground Stay on top of hand-weeding - be vigilant - weed around beds also! Keep adding more OM to surface when depleted. ** Instead of cardboard, can use porous, woven black plastic (Mypex) - cut slits (crosses) and plant through these.

Answer 10

allows early sowing protects plants from early frosts brings on tender veg for planting out allows late crops to continue and overwinter

Answer 11

Mulches Fleece Enviromesh Perforated, clear poly sheeting Cloches Low tunnels Cold frames Warm soil over winter with black poly sheeting Start off plants indoors or under glass for earlier vegetable harvest

Answer 12

These dress the top of the soil Mulch when still warm and not water-logged! - they insulate and help reduce evaporation - they stop weed seeds growing - they add nutrients and OM Organic mulches: - garden compost - horse manure - straw - seaweed Non-organic mulches: - plastic sheeting - make slits - decorative stone or gravel

Answer 13

Horticultural fleece is a spun plastic crop cover: - insulates against frost - light and loose - different grades - edges should be weighted down Enviromesh is a woven plastic mesh netting: - excludes flying insects (flies, butterflies, aphids) - lasts longer than fleece but less frost protection Poly sheeting - perforated, clear is not so useful! - warms soil but doesn't hold heat and can also overheat! - no air/water exchange

Answer 14

Structures placed or built on top of plants range of shapes, sizes and materials glass, PVC, polycarbonate. metal or plastic frame individual cloches can be as simple as a halved plastic bottle! allows early spring start and later year protection allows overwintering of suitable crops protects from rain and wind higher humidity - keeps warm inexpensive, moveable, versatile deters pests - rabbits, birds

Answer 15

Small polytunnels for a row of plants (hooped frames) moved and dismantled easily poly film can be pulled back in stages to harden plants off can also be made using fleece

Answer 16

Low frame made from wood, brick, aluminium Glass or polycarbonate "lights" that can be raised or slid upwards to allow in air Protects against rain and wind - also frost if insulated Maintains a higher temperature and humidity Acclimatises plants that have been overwintered in a greenhouse Seeds can be sown earlier in the year

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