[compost_tea] When to add ammendments to the soil
Hi all this is slightly off group topic but in the range of what we general=
ly try to emulate, there are so many well educated folk on this group so am=
taking the opportunity to glean some of your experiences.
As most of us know, similarly to compost, vermicast is lacking in phosphate=
s & potassium (important additions required for optimum plant growth). For =
gardening when is the best time to add these trace elements. I'm referring =
to amendments such as blood & bone meal, dry fish, rock phosphate, ash, chi=
cken manure, feather meal, cotton seed & Soya cake etc.
1) Include steadily in the worm feed from the start
2) Mix into the VC prior to use/application
3) Mix in directly to the soil before VC application (how long before plant=
ing)
4) Or apply weekly in the watering/top dressing
At present I lime directly two weeks before planting, am led to believe lim=
e additions directly to Compost can lead to Ammonia (N) losses. Presume thi=
s would have the same effect in VC, unless of course the pH is low and adju=
stments need to be made. I add phosphates at planting to bind my sandy soil=
and reduce N losses.
I add potassium half way through the growing period to boost flowering & fr=
uiting. Am I on the right track?
The conclusive answers to these questions I've failed to find on the net, l=
ook forward to any advice on this.
Thanks
Ian C
Received on Thu Jun 02 2011 - 13:40:40 EDT
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