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david · 18-10-2014, 09:18 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening

On 18/10/2014 12:32, Janet wrote:
In article ],
says...

As subject ... I've been wanting to put a deep mulch of farmyard manure
over our borders for a year or two, at this time of year, in order to
improve the soil which is "tired" and too solid.

I've shied away from the manure idea mainly because I would have to
barrow the trailer load FROM our front drive THROUGH the garage, UP the
steps ... etc.

Instead I'm going to buy "recycled compost" as a soil improver. This is
the stuff that councils sell, which has "bits" in it, and stinks when it
first comes out of the bag. However I personally think it's a good
soil conditioner, having used it elsewhere for that purpose.

Finally my question(!): I have an old sack of Fish Blood and Bone meal.
I rather think I will use it all up in conjunction with the compost, to
lend a bit of "goodness" to it.

Should I put the FB&B on the soil now, UNDER the compost, or should I
wait until next Spring and sprinkle it OVER the composted borders?

I'd save the FBB till spring. Then, rake back the mulch in a circle
round each shrub , scastter the FBB under its canopy and replace the
mulch. That way you get the nutrients to where they are needed, at the
right time.

I'm currently mulching the garden with seaweed collected from the
beach. From experience it's much easier to collect it into fertiliser
sacks which are easier to distribute round the garden... even when using
a barrow. Until recently we could get horse manure supplied in
fertiliser sacks (the way the horse owner clears their pasture) but that
supply seems to have dried up. Another useful mulch I use, is grass
clippings straight from the mower.

Janet

My choice would be to put it down as you lay the mulch so that the smell
of the mulch kills the smell of the BF&B as it's slow release and under
the mulch it won't degrade all that much over winter and will be there
as soon as your plants start to make root growth which will be before
you see any new growth above ground, could well be in Feb. so not far
off, just about 14 weeks, and you haven't done the job yet.
David @ a soggy side of Swansea bay, 6.2 inches of rain so far this month.