Digging

[tagh]

Well, in fact removing grass to make a bed for extra blackcurrent bushes; does this count as part of the 5000/10000 steps per day we are supposed to take to keep us healthy?

[RobertArthur]

You don't really need 10,000 daily steps to stay healthy: the Scientific American.

This daily goal has accidently been invented by a Japanese company in the sixties. Read this, quote:

Yet the concept of taking 10,000 steps a day to maintain health is rooted not in science but in a marketing gimmick. In the 1960s a company in Japan invented an early pedometer. Because the Japanese character for “10,000” looks like a person walking, the company called its device the 10,000-step meter."

[Char]

The Japanese character for “10,000” resembles a person walking: 万
That must be something to do with the Ministry for Silly Walks.

[Quiksilver]

However many steps we're supposed to do, I'd say that digging, or any gardening more strenuous than dead-heading roses, is very good exercise! Just don't overdo it and mess up your back....
You know that blackcurrants like a slightly acid soil, @tagh? Might be worth incorporating some peat (wash my mouth out) or sulphate de fer during the prep.

[tagh]

Thank you QS I didnt know that. Will work a bit in.

[RobertArthur]

I get the impression from all the discussions in recent years that this topic lends itself to a good discussion and fact based (?) arguments.

[niemeyjt]

Sawdust is also good to add to make soil more acidic.

As for the turves you've lifted - if you have any energy left then stack them upside down and you will get wonderful loam if you run out of molehills.

[Hotrodder]

If there is any risk of running out of molehills just bring your digger and lorry to me and help yourself.

[RobertArthur]

Please don't mention the dreaded M-word.

[Hotrodder]

That phot looks to be about 4 square metres. I can show you about about 1500 time that space looking very similar.