Food Production - Cultural Operations Flashcards
Cultivation techniques
Digging - single and double
Rotary
Consolidation
Producing a tilth
What is meant by a bed system as opposed to open ground production
Bed system
Garden divided into a number of narrow beds ( approx 1 metre wide) where the whole bed can be reached from the path
Beds north /south
Double dig beds
Paths in between wide enough for wheel barrow
Open system
Planting less dense. Have to leave room for walking.
Soil gets compacted
Difficult to work in bad weather
What is meant by a raised bed and give spec for bed and path
Beds raised up by mounding up soil and usually edged with timber.
1.5 x 3 m
Paths approx 0.5m wide
Advantage of raised beds
Greater depth of topsoil and better drainage
Advantages of bed system
Denser planting - no paths Cultivation in all weathers Easier crop rotation Easier to protect with covers Compost manures fertilisers able to just be applied to area of individual crop
Disadvantage of bed system
Not for large scale as not good for machinery etc
Explain no dig system for raised beds
Initial cultivation would be single/double dug.
Weed removal and addition of large quantities of organic matter
Advantages/Disadvantages of no dig system
Natural structure of soil preserved Soil organisms. Not disturbed Weed seeds not bought to the surface Moisture loss reduced Less hard work
Pests may build up in soil
May be difficult to maintain hummus levels since organic matter can only be added as mulch
Fertility and structure may be reduced in long term
Methods used to extend growing season outside
Polythene Mulches Fleece Enviromesh Low tunnels Cloches Cold frames
Different types of propagation methods for veg
Direct sowing in drills and then thinning
Transplanting from seedbeds
Sowing into modules
Sowing into blocks?
