Soil cultivation and veg propagation

Question 1

Describe single digging

Answer 1

Top spit of soil is turned over and organic matter is incorporated

Question 2

Describe double digging

Answer 2

Channel is dug by removing the first spit of soil and put to one side, working the second spit of soil and incorporating organic matter. Next channel is dug and top spit of soil is put into the channel before. This continues until whole bed is dug. To fill the final channel, the soil from the first channel is used that was put to one side.

Question 3

Describe rotary cultivation

Answer 3

A rotator is used to create a fine tilth and to chop up roots of weeds

Question 4

Describe consolidation

Answer 4

A roller can be used or you can firm down by treading

Question 5

Describe how to produce a fine tilth for sowing seeds

Answer 5

Rake over the prepared soil or use a lute

Question 6

Describe how the timing of soil cultivation will be influenced by soil texture

Answer 6

Clay soils can only be cultivated when dry and require a lot of work to get them ready for planting, such as incorporating organic matter. A compacted soil should also have organic matter incorporated when it is dry.

Question 7

Describe how the timing of soil cultivation will be influenced by weather and climate

Answer 7

Some soils can only be cultivated when dry.
Further north has a shorted planting season so soil cultivation will need to be done before this time starts.
Soil can be left rough over winter to allow frost to break down clods.
Soil should not be cultivated when it is frosty as it can damage the soil structure.

Question 8

Describe what is meant by the bed system for growing vegetables

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Compare open ground growing to bed growing

Answer 9

Bed growing has paths to avoid soil compaction.
Raised beds have greater depth of top soil which is important in chalky shallow soils and improves drainage on clay soils
Raised beds warm up quicker in the spring leading to an earlier yield of crops.
Bed systems can be intensely crops, leading to high yields than open ground growing.
Bed systems that use retaining walls are more expensive to install and maintain than open ground growing

Question 10

What is meant be a raised bed?

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Give the specification for a typical raised bed and paths

Answer 11

Bed 1.5m wide and 3m long.
Paths should be 0.5m wide.

Question 12

Explain the ‘no-dig’ stem of managing raised beds.

Answer 12

Remove perennial weeds.
Use surface mulch or smother weed growth with cardboard then add large quantity of organic matter on top to the surface of the bed.

Question 13

Give reasons for the use of the no dig system

Answer 13

Less work
Protects soil structure
Improves soil fertility
Keeps fertile topsoil in place
Does not bring dormant weeds up to the surface
Reduces evaporation from the soil surface
Less risk of back or muscular injury
Easier for elderly or disabled gardeners

Question 14

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

Answer 14

Use of polythene
Mulches
Fleece
Enviromesh
Low tunnels
Cloches
Cold frames

Question 15

Describe direct sowing in drills

Answer 15

Mark out drills 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

Question 16

Aside from direct sowing in drills, describe 3 other ways to propagate vegetable crops

Answer 16

Sowing in seed beds quite thickly and then transplanting into final position when they are large enough to handle.

Group sowing in blocks and thinning

Sowing into modules for tender vegetables and plant out after risk of frosts have passed.