Ridging

Ridging is a way of making sure that more of the surface is exposed to the weather.

It is very useful when winter approaches.

If ridges are not too wide, the soil becomes frozen all the way through. Plants food are freed clods are broken down, and the soil on the surface stays dry. Ridging also helps to kill insect pests.

After one or two days drying in the spring, the ridges are pulled down leaving a good working bed for seeding or planting.

Ridging and bastard trenching can be done at the same time.

Take the top spit of a 2 foot wide strip to the opposite end of the plot. Then turn over the subsoil, making sure that there is enough room on the sides of the strip for you to work easily.

When you reach the end of the trench, put back the soil that was removed.

Then use a layer of manure to cover the subsoil that you have worked.

Remove the top spit from the next 2 foot wide strip, and place it on top of the first section so that it forms a ridge.

Continue this process across the plot, creating alternating ridges and furrows along the entire plot.