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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2006 14:17:09 GMT
Hi all,
Despite waxing lyrical last week about the merits of nettle slurry, I've realised that one patch in particular needs a bit more of a feed. My local garden centre recommended seaweed fertiliser as a substitute for bonemeal, and I'm going to try that. What experience do boarders have of different organic fertilisers?? My garden is really too small to go down the 'green manure' route ... cheers ...
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Post by sweetleaf on Sept 3, 2006 20:35:35 GMT
Hi canarycreeper, chicken manure is a good organic fertilizer, as 4P will undoubtedly agree, even if you have no chicks of your own, you can buy large tubs at garden centres ( granulated chicken poo) its stinky  , but effective! ;D |
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Post by 4pygmies on Sept 3, 2006 20:44:13 GMT
Well, I've only tried organic liquid seaweed fertiliser but, to be honest, I was so rubbish at remembering to use it that I couldn't tell you if it was any good or not! I gave up with stuff like that years ago as I am not organised enough to use it properly. Chicken and goat muck is best! And I am a great believer in laying comfrey in trenches in the Autumn and I do put it in my compost bins as well. Every garden should have a patch.
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Post by jlottie on Sept 3, 2006 21:03:23 GMT
I'm going to have a go at seaweed on the allotment this year, we've had awful weather for the last couple of days so I hope there will be quite a bit to collect (hope it doesn't pong to much and upset the neighbours). I'll let you know how I get on.
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Post by Spruance on Sept 3, 2006 21:46:06 GMT
Hi CC, I don't think you can beat the chicken manure pellets. They don't smell too bad, except when they are wet, when you get the full effect. Still it's not as bad as when you drive past a chicken farm. I think most GC's have the tubs. Mine has 7kg tubs for around £6.00 each, but a few months ago had two for £10, so I'm well stocked up. I put it in the trenches when I set my potatoes, I use it as a top dressing for roses, I put in on my runner beans and sweet peas. I do stop short of putting it on my Weetabix,  but there aren't many situations when I don't use it. I'm sure it makes a difference. Spruance |
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Post by veggardener on Sept 3, 2006 22:30:40 GMT
For many years my prime source of organic fertilizer was 6X. Several years ago for some unexplained reason it disappeared from sale.
Some GC managers seemed to be of the opinion that it was as a result of some EEU directive.
I'm delighted to say that I have recently seen it back on sale at my local Wyevale.
Basically it's composted chicken manure, I can say with confidence that it's the finest fertilizer I've ever used.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2006 11:15:08 GMT
Well, the general consensus seems to be that chicken manure is the way to go ... thanks for the advice ... cheers ...
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Post by oldmoleskins on Sept 5, 2006 9:15:22 GMT
Well... I am a great believer in laying comfrey in trenches in the Autumn and I do put it in my compost bins as well. Every garden should have a patch. Inspirational 4P! I've masses of comfrey and thought it should have a more meaningful end than the Big Mower. Why do rabbits leave it alone and eat the b..... foxgloves though??? OM |
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Post by 4pygmies on Sept 5, 2006 13:30:26 GMT
Erm, because it tastes like s**t! Actually it probably does, doesn't it have more protein in it than any other plant?
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Post by oldmoleskins on Sept 7, 2006 7:30:54 GMT
I'm more inclined to believe you than him, 4P, but this comes from Richard Mabey's "Food for Free" quoting some old timer:
"the slimie substance of the roote made in a posset of ale, and given to drinke against pain in the backe, gotten by any violent motion, as wrestling, or over much use of women, doth in fower or five daies perfectly cure the same"
Just in case it comes in handy for anyone...
OM
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Post by 4pygmies on Sept 7, 2006 8:29:45 GMT
Yuckety yuck....must be kill or cure...I'd be concerned about violent motions AFTER quaffing the "slimie substance...."
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Post by oldmoleskins on Sept 7, 2006 17:08:13 GMT
Yuckety yuck....must be kill or cure...I'd be concerned about violent motions AFTER quaffing the "slimie substance...." On a more positive note, he do say (Maybey that is) that the young leaves can be dipped in batter and deep fried - a bit like courgette flowers, I guess - but then I've not tried those either, keep meaning to... OM |
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Post by Dr Bill on Sept 17, 2006 20:00:56 GMT
Well, I've only tried organic liquid seaweed fertiliser but, to be honest, I was so rubbish at remembering to use it that I couldn't tell you if it was any good or not. I wasn't impressed with it. Pippa Greenwood did a crude trial on TV a week or two ago comparing seaweed fertiliser and tomato fertiliser. The tomato fertiliser gave much better results. The plants fed with the seaweed stuff didn't seem much better than those which were unfed. I am going to have to think carefully about what I use next year. I want to be as near organinc as I can but it's pointless if the crops are going to be rubbish. I also use the liquid from the wormery but I don't think it will be enough on its own. Any advice would be appreciated. Most of my crops have been grown in containers this year |
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Post by sweetleaf on Oct 2, 2006 9:11:39 GMT
Id go with the chicken poo, Dr Bill! Manure of other types tends to come with its own problems, weed seeds etc, smells appalling, and needs to be composted for a long time before it can be used, plus its very bulky, not so good in a small garden.  |
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, but effective! ;D
but there aren't many situations when I don't use it. I'm sure it makes a difference.
