Too much digging

Cute_Mouse

Deleted by owner.

angelsmomma

Cute_Mouse wrote: »

I have done so much digging on my allotment (which is clay type soil) that my arm has decided to object. Now I can hardly bend it. Grrr tenis elbow. So annoying and frustrating, I need to get my beds turned over and seeds in. Unfortuantly I am not the only one on the allotment at the moment with injuries, so help will be in short supply. On the bright side, its raining today so I would not have been able to do much any way.
Take care all, watch those arms. I dont want anyone else with tennis elbow.:D

Me too, I am glad its raining so I don't feel bad not going out to plant it up

ukbill69

Or see if anyone down your road has a Rotavator. Im sure there is some old people that have one that would let you borrow.

System

Cute Mouse - I know all about the bad joints:(, we have two allotments in the household. One is conventional, the other is 'mine' I am free to experiment and do what I please. Decided to try no-dig on the veg patch - I have a large area of flower planted slope where I reserve my digging energies to chasing bindweed and couch.


Only reason I get a spade or fork out is if perennial weed has crept in or to plant something large.
First off I have banned anyone from walking on the cultivated ground without good reason, so it is divided into beds, not raised just separated by paths covered in tough stalks like lavender prunings.
Compost just goes on top, looks rough but soon disappears.
I add any manure to the surface in winter, have covered empty space in cardboard for winter (it does harbour slugs), sown green manure which I just cut and leave on the surface. I think the thing that has made a big difference is adding rock dust.
A lot of plants are raised in modules /seed trays and hole is made with a long handled bulb planter - the leg muscles are a lot stronger than the arms, for weeding my preferred tool is a nunki - a loop of copper which is sharp and you don't have to twist or bend the wrist.
I have noticed a huge reduction in the number of weeds germinating - I never allow anything to seed unless its beneficial.
Apart from potatoes I have had no problems - I simply cannot create enough compost to cover them thickly

Anyway, whatever you do hope you recover soon..