totp
Assistant Gardener
Posts: 128
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Post by totp on Nov 4, 2007 12:23:37 GMT
I shred a lot of old twigs etc to make a mulch for my soil, to kepp it from getting too cold in the winter. However, I understand these chopped shreddings are going to take nitrogen out of the soil. Is this true? And if so what can I do to add nitrogen back into the soil and when should I be doing so? All the time or when spring arrives?
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Post by andy on Nov 4, 2007 13:17:57 GMT
Nitrogen is a very unstable element in the ground. It is almost always available to plants but in incredibly varying amounts. A light shower might wash away nitrogen only for it to be replenished by magic.
Generally speaking, most legumes (peas, beans, sweet peas, wisteria etc) have nitrogen fixing nodules on their roots as does clover. Many field used to be sown with clover for a few years before leafy crops such as spinach and cabbage was grown on the field.
Personally, i'd carry on shredding but before you plant next spring, just add a couple of handfulls of a general purpose feed....i use pelleted chicken manure. A good handfull of bonemeal around each established plant in spring will give good results too.
Hope this helps
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Post by Chuckles on Nov 9, 2007 23:53:32 GMT
I love it when you tell us all this sort of stuff Andy  especially with all the extra interesting bits like with the clover |
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Post by Weeterrier on Nov 10, 2007 9:00:16 GMT
Andy, that legume thing brings back memories of school. Is it Bacillus radicicola? Or something like that? We had to learn it like a little chant
Bacillus radicicola in the roots of leguminous plants......................
Glad I remembered it. The first time I dug up my Lupins, I wondered momentarily what horrible disease had infected the roots. It looks really quite nauseating.
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Post by Barbara on Nov 10, 2007 13:16:37 GMT
why do i keep reading this as garden SHEDDINGS. ;D
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Post by Biggles on Nov 10, 2007 17:10:50 GMT
why do i keep reading this as garden SHEDDINGS. ;D Opticians--next appointment-- |
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Post by andy on Nov 10, 2007 20:56:21 GMT
I love it when you tell us all this sort of stuff Andy especially with all the extra interesting bits like with the clover I've forgotten most of it Chuckles (years of brain abuse !!!) but occasionally i remember little snippets. I do have to check sometime if i'm right though  |
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Post by Shrubrose on Nov 11, 2007 8:22:50 GMT
I love it when you tell us all this sort of stuff Andy especially with all the extra interesting bits like with the clover I've forgotten most of it Chuckles (years of brain abuse !!!) but occasionally i remember little snippets. I do have to check sometime if i'm right though I can safely say you'll have forgotten more than I will ever know Andy ;D |
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especially with all the extra interesting bits like with the clover 
