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Old 29-12-2007, 03:46 PM posted to rec.gardens
Billy[_4_] Billy[_4_] is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Aug 2007
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Default Feeding spent container soil to compost worms

In article ,
"George.com" wrote:

"Frank" wrote in message
...
Low levels of fertilizer salts, no Miracle Gro, feeding my container
veggies
organically (Espoma PlantTone) and rarely at all, with very good
results.
The (not cheap) soil at harvest's end is still good, save for the dead
roots
and whatever slight fertilizer buildup I did get from the Espoma. Is
it
possible to rejuvenate the soil by letting compost worms work it over
for
a couple of months?


depends on whjat there is left in the soil for the worms to eat & how long
you want to sit the soil. If there is little organic matter in the soil
there is sod all for the worms to eat & you will likely get little worm
activity or benefit, in my humble opinion. Mixing some 1/2 finished backyard
compost, leaf mould or poop into the soil will give the worms something to
eat & boost their numbers, turn over your soil & enrich it with worm poo.
Keep the mixture damp & the worms will reward you. If you are prepared to
wait 3-4 months maybe mix in some lawn clippings or kitche scraps & the
worms can go to worm there. You will need longer than with compost as the
organic matter is fresh.

rob


- OR -

Grow a nitrogen fixer, pulses or clover, or alfalfa. If you don't have
time, get alfalfa pellets to lay on the soil. The soil web (microscopic
flora and fauna) needs to be fed. You may want to sprinkle a little
sugar on the the beds as well, to jump start the populations.
--

Billy

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