Warm and dry weather has given the holding a real boost, we have been able to put down a load more mulch beds, and the soil conditions were just about perfect. The soil was wet enough to preserve the maximum soil moisture content, but just dry enough to take the weight of the tractor without causing compaction.
You can see from the above picture how the layer works. The fist shears make a furrow into which the mulch is pushed by the rubber press wheels and the edge is then buried by the follow on shears pushing soil back into the furrow. It takes about 15 to 20 mins to lay a 50m long bed.These beds are then planted with a dibber direct by hand, today we got another 4000 onions (Red Baron) planted and watered.
On the outside beds we don't use regular irrigation, straight after planting we water plants individually by hose to establish them and then rely on the residual soil water to take the crop to maturity. This is why it is important to capture as much soil moisture as possible by careful timing of laying the mulch.
Other crops making progress include the runner beans which have just started to germinate under their cloche covers. We have planted savoy cabbage and summer purple in the brassica area and we are seeing good growth on the lettuce plants in the tunnel. The leeks sown in the frames have germinated but are showing slow development, this may change as the soil temperature improves.
Earlier batch of lettuce in the tunnel. We are sowing one batch every week to give continuity. Heading types are cut and sold whole while loose leaf types are used in salad packs with various salad leaves. Including rocket, mizuna, red mustard, mibuna and various others depending on season.
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