2. Understand The Cultural Operations Used To Produce Outdoor Food Crops In A Garden Or Allotment

Question 1

Describe a range of soil cultivation techniques suitable for the vegetable garden

Answer 1

Single digging - top spit of soil is turned over and organic matter is incorporated
Double digging - removing 1 spit of soil, working the second spit and incorporating organic matter.
Rotary cultivation - a rotavator is used to create a fine tilth and to chop up roots of weeds.
Consolidation - a roller can be used, or you can firm down by treading
Tilth production for sowing seeds and planting - Raking over the soil or using a lute creates a fine tilth.

Question 2

Describe how the timing of soil cultivation’s will be influenced by soil texture, structure, weather and climate

Answer 2

The influence of soil texture and structure on its readiness for cultivation - clay soils can only be cultivated when dry and require a lot of work to get them ready for planting - such as inclusion of organic matter. A compacted soil will also require incorporation of organic matter.
The effect of weather and the variance in the ‘cultivation window’ depending on local climate and soil texture - Further north has a shorter planting season. Soil shouldn’t be cultivated when wet if it is a clay soil. Soil can be left rough over winter to break down clods by frost. oil should not be cultivated when frost as it damages soil structure.

Question 3

Describe what is meant by the bed system for growing vegetables. Compare this with open ground production.

Answer 3

Soil is thrown up to form beds, which are separated by permanent paths.

Compaction/traffic/walking over the ground to cultivate it - all bed cultivation is carried out from the path so compaction is avoided.
Depth of soil- raised beds give a greater depth of top soil which is important in chalky shallow soils. Also improves drainage on clay soils.
Speed of warming - raised beds warm up quicker in the spring leading to earlier crops of higher quality.
Potentially higher yields than open ground as beds can be intensively cropped.
Bed system may require more effort to establish initially
Some bed systems use retaining walls to keep the soil in place which can be expensive to install and maintain.

Question 4

Describe what is meant by a raised bed, giving a specification for a typical raised bed and paths

Answer 4

Soil thrown up from paths in between beds in mounds
A framework of timber or other material filled with soil.

Bed width no more than 1.5m wide and the length of the bed should use the maximum space available - usually 3m length. Paths should be 0.5m wide it allow access for wheelbarrows and good bed access.

Question 5

Explain the ‘no-dig’ system of managing raised beds. Give reasons for the use of the no dig system.

Answer 5

Initial weed removal
Use of surface mulches or smother weed growth and addition of large quantities of organic matter to the surface only.

Less work, protect soil structure, improves soil fertility, keeps fertile topsoil in place, does not bring dormant weed seeds to the surface, reduces evaporation from the soil surface, less risk f back or muscular injury, easier for elderly or disabled gardeners.

Question 6

State the methods used to advance and extend the productive season of outdoor food crops

Answer 6

Use of polythene
Mulches
Fleece
Enviromesh
Low tunnels
Cloches
Cold frames

Question 7

Describe propagation methods used in the production of vegetable crops

Answer 7

Direct sowing in drills and thinning - Mark out a drill to the depth appropriate for the seeds to be sown. Large seeds should be sown at intervals along the line.Small seeds should be sown thinly along the drill length. Draw soil with the back of a rake to cover.Gently firm. Thin as needed.
Sowing in seed beds quite thickly and transplanting to final position when they are large enough to handle.
Group sowing in blocks and thinning
Sowing into modules for tender vegetables and planting out after risk of frosts have passed