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I'm rather proud of the plot at the moment. It's weeded, fed, mulched and manured, the potatoes are chitted and in, and the beds are ready. Best of all, I've just top dressed my paths with lovely wood chips, which set the whole thing off to a 'T

. They advocate the no-dig technique in which a thick mulch is applied to the soil surface every year. This could help prevent weed seeds from emerging as it prevents light from reaching them. Now that does sound like a good idea!

According to the papers it's been the coldest start to December for 30 years - an average of only 1.7° C.The cold weather has hopefully killed a lot of pests, but I've not been able to get on with many of my jobs on the plot. I've not been able

and groundsel. The weedkiller, aminopyralid, has been ingested by farm animals and hasn't broken down. It's still present in the manure, which, when laid as a mulch or incorporated into soil, can affect garden crops.Symptoms to look out for include distorted

mulches and organic matter. Returning nutrients to the soil is vital for healthy plant growth and decent yields, improving soil structure and moisture retention. If in doubt, stick to home-made garden compost, leaf mould or composted green waste from