Types Of Digging
Single Digging
Dig a trench about 2ft wide and one spit deep. Remove the soil to the other end of the plot as this will be used to fill the final trench.
Dig a second trench alongside the first one turning the soil into the first trench. Mix in compost or manure as you go. Continue this way until you reach the end of the plot.
Double Digging
Double digging, also called trenching, involves forking and manuring at double the depth of single digging. First and second spit soil must be returned to its own level.
Dig a trench one spit deep and 3ft wide. Remove the soil to the other end of the plot and use it to fill the final trench.
Dividing the trench in half lengthways, dig out the first half another spit deep. You now have a trench with a stepped bottom.
Fork and manure the bottom of the deeper trench.
Return the second spit to its own depth.
Dig a new trench 1.5 ft wide and one spit deep. Use the soil to fill the first trench to surface level.
Continue in this way across the last trench with the soil taken from the first.
Digging
All digging is properly done with a spade, the blade of which is, on average about 25cm long. This is the length referred to when digging “one spit deep” is recommended.
Digging is done to get air into the soil, to get the lower layers weathered, to help excess rain drain through and to mix in plant foods and materials to improve structure with mostly rotted organic matter such as manure or garden compost.
It is done some months before planting to allow the turned over soil to weather and to allow the additions to be absorbed.
Many plants and most soils will give satisfactory results if “single dug”. This means digging a trench to the depth of one spades length. The soil from the trench is removed to the other end of the site and anothertrench is dug next to the first one, the soil from it being used to fill the first.
Organic matter should be mixed with this soil as it is returned either putting it in the bottom of the trench and then mixing it, spreading it on top of the soil before digging or forking it in from a barrow as the work proceeds.
August Gardening Essentials - Ponds
Ponds and Water Features
Top up water levels in ponds and water features.
Pick or cut off deteriorating pond and marginal plant leaves.
August Gardening Essentials - Fruit
Fruit
Cut back any summer fruiting raspberries not dealt with already.
Finish pruning cordon apples and pears.
Plant new strawberry plants in open ground or in containers.
August Gardening Essentials - Herbs & Vegetables
Herbs and Vegetables
Water crops during dry weather.
Harvest crops regularly and promptly so as to enjoy the biggest, tastiest and most tender meals possible.
Hoe off weeds between rows regularly.
Remove side shoots from tomatoes.
