Tuesday 28 February 2012

Rotovator in use for 1st time this year

Got the Rotovator out today, don't know what I would do without it, started 1st time too, not bad for a machine now 6 years old and only used once or twice a year, I know I will use it twice this year as there is still a patch of soil that needs clearing & weeding before I can cultivate it.


Here you can
see the bed I am using for the
Main Cr
op 'Cara' I have revised my original
planting plan so I can now get 8 rows with 8 tubers in each. Cara is renowned to be a heavy cropper & the spuds are usually quite large, ideal for Jackets, Roasties & Chips.

The above photo is before the Rotovator was used, I weeded the area first then spread well rotted Manure over it and as you can see from this photo (left) the Rotovator does a good job incorporating the
Manure.

This picture shows a close up of my pride & joy, a JCB-C35A Rotovator, with a Briggs and Stratton 3.5hp Petrol engine and 15" wide tines.
The patch of ground you can see here is approx 14' x 10' (140 sq feet) and I managed to go over it twice in half an hour, with the Rotovator, it would take all day by hand with a fork.
This bed is where the 1st earlies 'Rocket' & 2nd earlies 'Charlotte' will be planted.




So rather a productive day today, also found a patch to plant the 'Sarpo Mira' spuds, can now revise my original planting from only 10 tubers to 20, although will be a test crop to see the yield & taste.

The plot is looking lovely now, did some weeding & clearing on Sunday when we brought down the Chickens, now the 3rd time & they loved it again.
Thanks for reading/returning. Ian

7 comments:

  1. The soil definitely looks soft and fluffy after being rotovated - I'll bet those Caras will appreciate it!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Tanya, I Rotovate the Potato patch every year and it does do the trick.

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  2. Looks grate! I can't wait to get out on my plot and do a spot of rotavating, but its still very damp at the moment.

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  3. I love to see a nicely turned over plot all ready for a fresh start with planting.

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  4. Jealous! I'm off to sort out our potato beds today....by hand.

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  5. Nice job on the spud bed, just taken the worn out tines off my rotavator today, they must be at least 50 years old?

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  6. Wow, if I lived closer you could do my plot, but then I wouldn't be as fit!! Great work - I am sure you are going to get fantastic spuds this year x

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