1. RHS Level 2 Certificate Week 18- Outdoor food production. Site selection and cultivation methods

6. Types of windbreak Fence Easy to put up, relatively cheap, does not compete with the plants Solid panels create turbulence; Wall Attractive and permanent. Expensive and hard to put up Hedges Attractive and more permanent than fencing. Compete with plants for water and nutrients; take time to establish and need maintenance Windbreak netting Cheap and easy to put up. Easy to move to where it is needed. Unattractive and not permanent.

8. Advantages of each method Digging – advantages No dig - advantages Exposes pests and diseases to the elements and predators Does not expose annual weed seeds to light – so no need for a ‘stale seed bed’ Incorporates organic material into the soil and allows the elements to break down clods of clay No need to incorporate the organic matter Breaks down hard pan and soil compaction Retains moisture as the raised bed acts like a mulch. Allows a good depth of root run in well cultivated soil Encourages worm populations and can be used on most soils Digging encourages the break down of organic matter by allowing oxygen into the soil. The use of composted organic material is said to result in fewer diseases and pests

9. Disadvantages of each method Digging - disadvantages No Dig - disadvantages Exposes weed seeds to the light triggering germination Needs very large amounts of suitable organic material and loam Labour intensive – very physically demanding Perhaps less physically demanding but still very hard work to set up Digging wet soils – particularly clay or loam – can cause compaction Any hard pan or compaction in the underlying soil is not broken up and this can lead to poor drainage May damage the soils natural balance – harming animals and good bacteria Indications are that if used for a long period this method can damage soil fertility.