Double Digging

[Oola]

My new big veg plot is currently being slowly but surely dug out. I tried the o Dig approach but didn't do it early enough, so I've decided to just dig the whole thing out by hand.

It's a good job I did because I've already unearthed almost half a barrow load of hard core, mostly consisting of bricks and bits of roof tiles.

The thing is, I get a spade's depth down and then I start having to pull out loads of the hard core. I was anticipating doing some double digging, as the area was previously turfed, but it's taking me a lifetime because of the amount of rubble that's been buried (feckin' builders!!!!!). Do you think double digging is really worth it, or would I just be better off putting in loads of soil conditioner and compost and hoping the worms (what little there are left after the hens have gobbled them up) will do their thing?

[jazzactivist]

Good for you getting stuck in like that, Oola. From my experience of cultivating new patches of land it is best to single dig with a spade and use a fork for the double digging part. This breaks up the soil in the next layer and brings up all the unwanted bits without turning it over and perhaps burying scanty topsoil. After the first time I then use the no dig method on that patch and pull out any weeds usuing fork, hoe and hands.
'Hope this suggestion helps save your back!

[Healing Hands]

Can you get hold of a rotatvater, then dig, that should be a lot quicker for you.

[Crocus]

Sorry for the different angle here Oola, but what about your back?

[Oola]

Well I'm only doing about 15-20 mins digging a day to try and keep my back ok. That's partly why it's taking so damned long!!! :)

I have considered a rotivator, but I'm worried that all the buried bits of brick (the plots are on an extra large bit of land that was once a building site. They couldn't build any more houses because lack of access so all the building materials were just buried and the land was overtaken by brambles and bindweed before being being put to lawn) might mess up the blades. I know don't how robust they are!

[eleanor2]

poor oola i feel quite spoilt with my new garden.having a rotivator would save hours and your back.but like you say if the rubbish isn't deep enough you would be in for trouble filching out all the bits thrown up by rotivating.my hubby tells me his dad has buried a car somewhere in my garden about 20 odd years ago.havn't unearthed any of it yet.

[sunflower]

Just think Oola, once you have double dugged!! the whole plot, you will never have to double dig again. So, this year is a very real investment into the future of your allottment.

[Oola]

I'll probably have finished double digging at the end of the 'growing' season ;) But as you say, it's an investment and ultimately worth it. I think I'll just slowly keep ploughing ahead (ho ho, if only) with it and use Jazz's idea of the fork foro the really compacted lower levels. I think I'll be needing to hire a skip at least to get rid of the hard core, or at least bag it up and try to get rid of it on Freecycle. Someone building something might need it.