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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: olicat on August 13, 2008, 18:10:53

Title: fertilisers/compost
Post by: olicat on August 13, 2008, 18:10:53
I have no idea what kind of fertiliser/composts to use... i want to be as organic as i can and will start my own compost heap,  but don't know where to start. what do others use?.. any info will  be appreciated.

Oli
Title: Re: fertilisers/compost
Post by: manicscousers on August 13, 2008, 19:02:34
chicken pellets,before planting out
never used blood, fish and bone before until one of the older members showed me the cabbages grown with it  :o
tried it this year with brilliant results..also, use seaweed feed diluted on toms etc  :)
oh, and we use lime on the brassica beds, not sure what it's classed as, and we grow green manure when beds become empty
Title: Re: fertilisers/compost
Post by: STEVEB on August 13, 2008, 23:18:48
check out the posts on comfrey/nettle fertillisers
Title: Re: fertilisers/compost
Post by: Deb P on August 14, 2008, 01:03:07
I'm a big fan of liquid Seaweed feeds (Seasol is my fave), and use granulated calcified seaweed to help break down my heavy clay and feed at the same time. I do use chicken manure pellets as well, bung a handful around when replanting a patch. I've even used seaweed washed up on the beach around my squash this year, also use a lot of mushroom compost and cow manure from a local farm spread or dug in the autumn.
Title: Re: fertilisers/compost
Post by: olicat on August 14, 2008, 09:33:23
Thanks everyone.. great advice...!

lynn
Title: Re: fertilisers/compost
Post by: lizagrowbag on August 14, 2008, 18:21:09
sorry to but in on ur post so i can use the same pellets that i feed my birds as a fertilizer? how much and when should i use it?
Title: Re: fertilisers/compost
Post by: ceres on August 14, 2008, 18:52:32
I don't think so Lisa!  The chicken pellets that manics mentioned are chicken MANURE in a pellet form.  You can buy big tubs of them at garden centres, B&Q, Wilkos etc.  But since you keep chickens, you've got ready made fertiliser anyway.
Title: Re: fertilisers/compost
Post by: olicat on August 14, 2008, 19:14:27
I am going off the subject a bit, but can i put the guinea pigs old bedding, which is newspaper, woodchips and hay on my compost heap??
Title: Re: fertilisers/compost
Post by: STEVEB on August 14, 2008, 23:24:21
oli yes pee is a great compost accelerant,i allways water my compost when no ones around !!!!
Title: Re: fertilisers/compost
Post by: olicat on August 14, 2008, 23:41:11
Crikey!!  Bit more difficult for me and my girls to water the compost!!!!!! Ha Ha!!
Title: Re: fertilisers/compost
Post by: Deb P on August 15, 2008, 16:21:58
That's why you need a shed.......and a watering can! :-[ ;D
Title: Re: fertilisers/compost
Post by: Tulipa on August 15, 2008, 16:34:39
Just put up a net curtain in my shed! :-[

T.
Title: Re: fertilisers/compost
Post by: olicat on August 15, 2008, 17:20:16
we cant have sheds at our allotments...!
Title: Re: fertilisers/compost
Post by: Buster54 on August 15, 2008, 17:44:15
Quote from: olicat on August 15, 2008, 17:20:16
we cant have sheds at our allotments...!

Why not get something like this put it up when go to the allotment and take it down when you go home just say its a rain shelter
http://www.worldofcamping.co.uk/shop/Detail.asp?ProductID=230
Title: Re: fertilisers/compost
Post by: KathrynH on August 15, 2008, 17:47:11
I would recommend getting a wormery. It takes all of your kitchen waste and turns it into rich compost and liquid feed without any hassle at all. There are loads of them available on various websites (just google "wormery") so you can find the best one for you. You can then keep a compost bin on the allotment for the more bulky green waste that you produce, along with you guniea pig bedding and the occasional wee!