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Time release fertilizers
I grow everything in containers, and use Pro-Mix BX as the soil medium.
Very happy with it. It drains so well, I worry that the water soluble fertilizer leeches out too quick. A garden expert whose podcast I listen to Ron Wilson is an avid proponent of Osmakote, a time release fertilizer. Does anyone use a time release, and how do you think it works for you? Do you still give your plants extra feedings? Tim Pro-Mix http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/P...tinfo/SO-PMBX/ Osmakote http://www.scotts.com/smg/catalog/pr...16&id=cat50020 |
Time release fertilizers
In article , Tim
wrote: I grow everything in containers, and use Pro-Mix BX as the soil medium. Very happy with it. It drains so well, I worry that the water soluble fertilizer leeches out too quick. A garden expert whose podcast I listen to Ron Wilson is an avid proponent of Osmakote, a time release fertilizer. Does anyone use a time release, and how do you think it works for you? Do you still give your plants extra feedings? Tim Pro-Mix http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/P...oductinfo/SO-P MBX/ Osmakote http://www.scotts.com/smg/catalog/pr...&proId=prod703 72&itemId=cat50116&id=cat50020 GGG-rowl -- - Billy "For the first time in the history of the world, every human being is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the moment of conception until death." - Rachel Carson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI29wVQN8Go http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1072040.html |
Time release fertilizers
On Apr 20, 10:12*am, Tim wrote:
I grow everything in containers, and use Pro-Mix BX as the soil medium. Very happy with it. It drains so well, I worry that the water soluble fertilizer leeches out too quick. A garden expert whose podcast I listen to Ron Wilson is an avid proponent of Osmakote, a time release fertilizer. Does anyone use a time release, and how do you think it works for you? Do you still give your plants extra feedings? Tim Pro-Mixhttp://www.greenhousemegastore.com/Pro-Mix-BX-38CF-Compressed/product... Osmakotehttp://www.scotts.com/smg/catalog/productTemplate.jsp?tabs=usage&proI... I have used Osmakote for a couple of years with good results, and I do not feed inbetween. |
Time release fertilizers
nanzi wrote:
On Apr 20, 10:12 am, Tim wrote: I grow everything in containers, and use Pro-Mix BX as the soil medium. Very happy with it. It drains so well, I worry that the water soluble fertilizer leeches out too quick. A garden expert whose podcast I listen to Ron Wilson is an avid proponent of Osmakote, a time release fertilizer. Does anyone use a time release, and how do you think it works for you? Do you still give your plants extra feedings? Tim Pro-Mixhttp://www.greenhousemegastore.com/Pro-Mix-BX-38CF-Compressed/product... Osmakotehttp://www.scotts.com/smg/catalog/productTemplate.jsp?tabs=usage&proI... I have used Osmakote for a couple of years with good results, and I do not feed inbetween. Thanks ! Perhaps I will try it this year..It does surprise me that no other feedings are needed, I thought maybe once a month or so, but if you are happy with the results............... Tim btw--Down boy, down....I figured I may get some grumbles from this, but I have to ask questions based on what I do... See Charlie, it sure didn't take me long!! P-) |
Time release fertilizers
In article ,
Tim wrote: nanzi wrote: On Apr 20, 10:12 am, Tim wrote: I grow everything in containers, and use Pro-Mix BX as the soil medium. Very happy with it. It drains so well, I worry that the water soluble fertilizer leeches out too quick. A garden expert whose podcast I listen to Ron Wilson is an avid proponent of Osmakote, a time release fertilizer. Does anyone use a time release, and how do you think it works for you? Do you still give your plants extra feedings? Tim Pro-Mixhttp://www.greenhousemegastore.com/Pro-Mix-BX-38CF-Compressed/produc t... Osmakotehttp://www.scotts.com/smg/catalog/productTemplate.jsp?tabs=usage&pr oI... I have used Osmakote for a couple of years with good results, and I do not feed inbetween. Thanks ! Perhaps I will try it this year..It does surprise me that no other feedings are needed, I thought maybe once a month or so, but if you are happy with the results............... Tim btw--Down boy, down....I figured I may get some grumbles from this, but I have to ask questions based on what I do... See Charlie, it sure didn't take me long!! P-) Yeah, it's all there in black and white for everyone to see. You don't even know the name of the poison that you use, "Osmocote". That really encourages the faint hope that you can use it wisely. There are just no words to describe your brilliance. None at all. -- - Billy "For the first time in the history of the world, every human being is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the moment of conception until death." - Rachel Carson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI29wVQN8Go http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1072040.html |
Time release fertilizers
Billy wrote:
In article , Tim wrote: nanzi wrote: On Apr 20, 10:12 am, Tim wrote: I grow everything in containers, and use Pro-Mix BX as the soil medium. Very happy with it. It drains so well, I worry that the water soluble fertilizer leeches out too quick. A garden expert whose podcast I listen to Ron Wilson is an avid proponent of Osmakote, a time release fertilizer. Does anyone use a time release, and how do you think it works for you? Do you still give your plants extra feedings? Tim Pro-Mixhttp://www.greenhousemegastore.com/Pro-Mix-BX-38CF-Compressed/produc t... Osmakotehttp://www.scotts.com/smg/catalog/productTemplate.jsp?tabs=usage&pr oI... I have used Osmakote for a couple of years with good results, and I do not feed inbetween. Thanks ! Perhaps I will try it this year..It does surprise me that no other feedings are needed, I thought maybe once a month or so, but if you are happy with the results............... Tim btw--Down boy, down....I figured I may get some grumbles from this, but I have to ask questions based on what I do... See Charlie, it sure didn't take me long!! P-) Yeah, it's all there in black and white for everyone to see. You don't even know the name of the poison that you use, "Osmocote". That really encourages the faint hope that you can use it wisely. There are just no words to describe your brilliance. None at all. lol...Doesn't take much to get you riled, does it? Well, as long as you feel better. -- Tim +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + "Strange days indeed." + + Dr. Winston O'Boogie + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ |
Time release fertilizers
In article ,
Tim wrote: Billy wrote: In article , Tim wrote: nanzi wrote: On Apr 20, 10:12 am, Tim wrote: I grow everything in containers, and use Pro-Mix BX as the soil medium. Very happy with it. It drains so well, I worry that the water soluble fertilizer leeches out too quick. A garden expert whose podcast I listen to Ron Wilson is an avid proponent of Osmakote, a time release fertilizer. Does anyone use a time release, and how do you think it works for you? Do you still give your plants extra feedings? Tim Pro-Mixhttp://www.greenhousemegastore.com/Pro-Mix-BX-38CF-Compressed/prod uc t... Osmakotehttp://www.scotts.com/smg/catalog/productTemplate.jsp?tabs=usage& pr oI... I have used Osmakote for a couple of years with good results, and I do not feed inbetween. Thanks ! Perhaps I will try it this year..It does surprise me that no other feedings are needed, I thought maybe once a month or so, but if you are happy with the results............... Tim btw--Down boy, down....I figured I may get some grumbles from this, but I have to ask questions based on what I do... See Charlie, it sure didn't take me long!! P-) Yeah, it's all there in black and white for everyone to see. You don't even know the name of the poison that you use, "Osmocote". That really encourages the faint hope that you can use it wisely. There are just no words to describe your brilliance. None at all. lol...Doesn't take much to get you riled, does it? Well, as long as you feel better. Riled? I haven't even dipped into my scatological references yet. I just hope that this chemfert never sees topsoil. Granted you're not distributing this witch's brew over 1000s of acres, but every bit of remaining topsoil is precious. Humankind has not woven the web of life.* We are but one thread within it.* Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.* All things are bound together.* All things connect.* ~Chief Seattle, 1855 -- - Billy "For the first time in the history of the world, every human being is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the moment of conception until death." - Rachel Carson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI29wVQN8Go http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1072040.html |
Time release fertilizers
In article
, Billy wrote: Humankind has not woven the web of life.* We are but one thread within it.* Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.* All things are bound together.* All things connect.* ~Chief Seattle, 1855 Heavy storm has our cat hiding Just noise and wind and light Still it affects me and mind Easy to notice the connection to nature When it yells at us Difficult to recognize subtleness over time Sort of like the US graduated tax system Place a frog in hot water and it jumps Heat slowly and no jump Lack of toads I think of mistakes.... seeing and wonder why Still after the perilous winter perennials appearing Spring and more wonder to come Bill -- Garden in shade zone 5 S Jersey USA Not all who wander are lost. - J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973) |
Time release fertilizers
Billy wrote:
In article , Tim wrote: Billy wrote: In article , Tim wrote: nanzi wrote: On Apr 20, 10:12 am, Tim wrote: I grow everything in containers, and use Pro-Mix BX as the soil medium. Very happy with it. It drains so well, I worry that the water soluble fertilizer leeches out too quick. A garden expert whose podcast I listen to Ron Wilson is an avid proponent of Osmakote, a time release fertilizer. Does anyone use a time release, and how do you think it works for you? Do you still give your plants extra feedings? Tim Pro-Mixhttp://www.greenhousemegastore.com/Pro-Mix-BX-38CF-Compressed/prod uc t... Osmakotehttp://www.scotts.com/smg/catalog/productTemplate.jsp?tabs=usage& pr oI... I have used Osmakote for a couple of years with good results, and I do not feed inbetween. Thanks ! Perhaps I will try it this year..It does surprise me that no other feedings are needed, I thought maybe once a month or so, but if you are happy with the results............... Tim btw--Down boy, down....I figured I may get some grumbles from this, but I have to ask questions based on what I do... See Charlie, it sure didn't take me long!! P-) Yeah, it's all there in black and white for everyone to see. You don't even know the name of the poison that you use, "Osmocote". That really encourages the faint hope that you can use it wisely. There are just no words to describe your brilliance. None at all. lol...Doesn't take much to get you riled, does it? Well, as long as you feel better. Riled? I haven't even dipped into my scatological references yet. I just hope that this chemfert never sees topsoil. Granted you're not distributing this witch's brew over 1000s of acres, but every bit of remaining topsoil is precious. Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. ~Chief Seattle, 1855 Ah, now that I can agree with...To an extent. I do believe that we are faced with way too many compounds which we don't even know about. From the fluoridated/chlorinated water I drink and water with to the compound that makes plastics soft, to my cell phone looking for the last brain cell to fry. You did make me think and look into it though, and I found this: Miracle Gro Liquid: http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov...ds&id=19026018 Osmocote: http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov...ds&id=19026036 They both said this: Carcinogenicity: From MSDS None IARC: No NTP: No OSHA: No GENERAL COMMENTS:This product contains urea (CAS#57-13-6) and is affirmed as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) in accordance with U.S. FDA, 21 CFR,184. ECOTOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION:Prevent large quantities from contacting vegetation or waterways. Keep animals away from large spills. This material is highly beneficial to plant life. There are no known adverse effects on aquatic life. It may not be organic, but I feel better about using it than drinking my tapwater..I did along the way find this : http://www.submersibledesign.com/drinkpee/diy.html I think they grow watercress with it... -- Tim +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + "Strange days indeed." + + Dr. Winston O'Boogie + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ |
Time release fertilizers
In article ,
Tim wrote: lol...Doesn't take much to get you riled, does it? Well, as long as you feel better. Riled? I haven't even dipped into my scatological references yet. I just hope that this chemfert never sees topsoil. Granted you're not distributing this witch's brew over 1000s of acres, but every bit of remaining topsoil is precious. Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. ~Chief Seattle, 1855 Ah, now that I can agree with...To an extent. I do believe that we are faced with way too many compounds which we don't even know about. From the fluoridated/chlorinated water I drink and water with to the compound that makes plastics soft, to my cell phone looking for the last brain cell to fry. OK Grasshopper, pay attention while ol' Sensei Billy trys to slip this concept into your skull. Teaming with Microbes: A Gardener's Guide to the Soil Food Web Jeff Lowenfels and Wayne Lewis http://www.amazon.com/Teaming-Microb.../dp/0881927775 /ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206815176&sr= 1-1 pg. 25 Special soil fungi, called mycorrhizal fungi, establish themselves in a symbiotic relationship with roots, providing them not only with-physical protection but with nutrient delivery as well. In return for exudates, these fungi provide water, phosphorus, and other necessary plant nutrients. Soil food web populations must be in balance, or these fungi are eaten and the plant suffers. Bacteria produce exudates of their own, and the slime they use to attach to surfaces traps pathogens. Sometimes, bacteria work in conjunction with fungi to form protective layers, not only around roots in the rhizosphere but on an equivalent area around leaf surfaces, the phyllosphere. Leaves produce exudates that attract microorganisms in exactly the same way roots do; these act as a barrier to invasion, preventing disease-causing organisms from entering the plant's system. Some fungi and bacteria produce inhibitory compounds, things like vitamins and antibiotics, which help maintain or improve plant health; penicillin and streptomycin, for example, are produced by a soil-borne fungus and a soil-borne bacterium, respectively. All nitrogen is not the same Ultimately, from the plant's perspective anyhow, the role of the soil food web is to cycle down nutrients until they become temporarily immobilized in the bodies of bacteria and fungi and then mineralized. The most important of these nutrients is nitrogen‹the basic building block of amino acids and, therefore, life. The biomass of fungi and bacteria (that is, the total amount of each in the soil) determines, for the most part, the amount of nitrogen that is readily available for plant use. It wasn't until the 1980s that soil scientists could accurately measure the amount of bacteria and fungi in soils. Dr. Elaine Ingham at Oregon State University along with others started publishing research that showed the ratio of these two organisms in various types of soil. In general, the least disturbed soils (those that supported old growth timber) had far more fungi than bacteria, while disturbed soils (rototilled soil, for example) had far more bacteria than fungi. These and later studies show that agricultural soils have a fungal to bacterial biomass (F:B ratio) of 1:1 or less, while forest soils have ten times or more fungi than bacteria. Ingham and some of her graduate students at OSU also noticed a correlation between plants and their preference for soils that were fungally dominated versus those that were bacterially dominated or neutral. Since the path from bacterial to fungal domination in soils follows the general course of plant succession, it became easy to predict what type of soil particular plants preferred by noting where they came from. In general, perennials, trees, and shrubs prefer fungally dominated soils, while annuals, grasses, and vegetables prefer soils dominated by bacteria. One implication of these findings, for the gardener, has to do with the nitrogen in bacteria and fungi. Remember, this is what the soil food web means to a plant: when these organisms are eaten, some of the nitrogen is retained by the eater, but much of it is released as waste in the form of plant-available ammonium (NH4). Depending on the soil environment, this can either remain as ammonium or be converted into nitrate (NO,) by special bacteria. When does this conversion occur? When ammonium is released in soils that are dominated by bacteria. This is because such soils generally have an alkaline pH (thanks to bacterial bioslime), which encourages the nitrogen-fixing bacteria to thrive. The acids produced by fungi, as they begin to dominate, lower the pH and greatly reduce the amount of these bacteria. In fungally dominated soils, much of the nitrogen remains in ammonium form. Ah, here is the rub: chemical fertilizers provide plants with nitrogen, but most do so in the form of nitrates (NO,,). An understanding of the soil food web makes it clear, however, that plants that prefer fungally dominated soils ultimately won't flourish on a diet of nitrates. Knowing this can make a great deal of difference in the way you manage your gardens and yard. If you can cause either fungi or bacteria to dominate, or provide an equal mix (and you can - just how is explained in Part 2) , then plants can get the kind of nitrogen they prefer, without chemicals, and thrive. Negative impacts on the soil food web Chemical fertilizers negatively impact the soil food web by killing off entire portions of it. What gardener hasn't seen what table salt does to a slug? Fertilizers are salts; they suck the water out of the bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes in the soil. Since these microbes are at the very foundation of the soil food web nutrient system, you have to keep adding fertilizer once you start using it regularly. The microbiology is missing and not there to do its job, feeding the plants. It makes sense that once the bacteria, fungi, nematodes, and protozoa are gone, other members of the food web disappear as well. Earthworms, for example, lacking food and irritated by the synthetic nitrates in soluble nitrogen fertilizers, move out. Since they are major shredders of organic material, their absence is a great loss. Without the activity and diversity of a healthy food web, you not only impact the nutrient system but all the other things a healthy soil food web brings. Soil structure deteriorates, watering can become problematic," pathogens and pests establish themselves and, worst of all, gardening becomes a lot more work than it needs to be. If the salt-based chemical fertilizers don't kill portions of the soil food web, rototilling will. This gardening rite of spring breaks up fungal hyphae, decimates worms, and rips and crushes arthropods. It destroys soil structure and eventually saps soil of necessary air. Again, this means more work for you in the end. Air pollution, pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides, too, kill off important members of the food web community or "chase" them away. Any chain is only as strong as its weakest link: if there is a gap in the soil food web, the system will break down and stop functioning properly. Healthy soil food webs benefit you and your plants Why should a gardener be knowledgeable about how soils and soil food webs work? Because then you can manage them so they work for you and your plants. By using techniques that employ soil food web science as you garden, you can at least reduce and at best eliminate the need for fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides (and a lot of accompanying work). You can improve degraded soils and return them to usefulness. Soils will retain nutrients in the bodies of soil food web organisms instead of letting them leach out to God knows where. Your plants will be getting nutrients in the form each particular plant wants and needs so they will be less stressed. You will have natural disease prevention, protection, and suppression. Your soils will hold more water. The organisms in the soil food web will do most of the work of maintain- ing plant health. Billions of living organisms will be continuously at work throughout the year, doing the heavy chores, providing nutrients to plants, building defense systems against pests and diseases, loosening soil and increasing drainage, providing necessary pathways for oxygen and carbon dioxide. You won't have to do these things yourself. Gardening with the soil food web is easy, but you must get the life back in your soils. First, however, you have to know something about the soil in which the soil food web operates; second, you need to know what each of the key members of the food web community does. Both these concerns are taken up in the rest of Part 1. ____ To use chemical fertilizers is to become dependent on them, because they kill the microbes that would otherwise feed your plants, at no cost, for you. As you grow microbes, you grow top soil. As you grow topsoil, you participate in the healing of the planet. Meditate Grasshopper. The system of nature, of which man is a part, tends to be self-balancing, self-adjusting, self-cleansing.* Not so with technology.* ~E.F. Schumacher, Small is Beautiful, 1973 -- - Billy "For the first time in the history of the world, every human being is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the moment of conception until death." - Rachel Carson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI29wVQN8Go http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1072040.html |
Time release fertilizers
In article ,
Bill wrote: In article , Billy wrote: Humankind has not woven the web of life.* We are but one thread within it.* Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.* All things are bound together.* All things connect.* ~Chief Seattle, 1855 Heavy storm has our cat hiding Just noise and wind and light Still it affects me and mind Easy to notice the connection to nature When it yells at us Difficult to recognize subtleness over time Sort of like the US graduated tax system Place a frog in hot water and it jumps Heat slowly and no jump Lack of toads I think of mistakes.... seeing and wonder why Still after the perilous winter perennials appearing Spring and more wonder to come Bill The brushwood, Though cut for fuel, Is beginning to bud. - Boncho -- - Billy "For the first time in the history of the world, every human being is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the moment of conception until death." - Rachel Carson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI29wVQN8Go http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1072040.html |
Time release fertilizers
"Tim" wrote in message
... I grow everything in containers, and use Pro-Mix BX as the soil medium. Very happy with it. It drains so well, I worry that the water soluble fertilizer leeches out too quick. A garden expert whose podcast I listen to Ron Wilson is an avid proponent of Osmakote, a time release fertilizer. Does anyone use a time release, and how do you think it works for you? Do you still give your plants extra feedings? I use Osmacote for indoor plants and pot plants. I'd never consider using it for something I planned to eat. |
Time release fertilizers
snip some interesting reading material
To use chemical fertilizers is to become dependent on them, because they kill the microbes that would otherwise feed your plants, at no cost, for you. As you grow microbes, you grow top soil. As you grow topsoil, you participate in the healing of the planet. Ok, I've saved the link to see if my library has the book even if what they report is 100% true.....Don't forget that my soil is a lifeless thing to begin with. Just a medium to to hold the water and the plant. So, even if I am stuck using a man-made fertilizer, as long as the plant grows well, so what? I'm not killing anything in any soil.....I grow in a "fake" soil, and fertilize with "fake" food...My plants grow well.....I'm happy....No Eco-devastation, kinda like growing hydro...Just gimme some sun, not the snow we are supposed to get tonight. Meditate Grasshopper. Well.....Give me a day to think...I'll get back to ya. 8--) Actually, lemme see if the library has the book. I don't have a closed mind, but in my mini-environment, I just don't see where it will make a difference. If I can use a produced fertilizer and get the same results without a negative impact, whats the diff? -- Tim +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + "Strange days indeed." + + Dr. Winston O'Boogie + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ |
Time release fertilizers
FarmI wrote:
"Tim" wrote in message ... I grow everything in containers, and use Pro-Mix BX as the soil medium. Very happy with it. It drains so well, I worry that the water soluble fertilizer leeches out too quick. A garden expert whose podcast I listen to Ron Wilson is an avid proponent of Osmakote, a time release fertilizer. Does anyone use a time release, and how do you think it works for you? Do you still give your plants extra feedings? I use Osmacote for indoor plants and pot plants. I'd never consider using it for something I planned to eat. Ok, round two....8-) Please explain. And btw, thanks for your input! -- Tim +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + "Strange days indeed." + + Dr. Winston O'Boogie + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ |
Time release fertilizers
In article ,
Tim wrote: snip some interesting reading material To use chemical fertilizers is to become dependent on them, because they kill the microbes that would otherwise feed your plants, at no cost, for you. As you grow microbes, you grow top soil. As you grow topsoil, you participate in the healing of the planet. Ok, I've saved the link to see if my library has the book even if what they report is 100% true.....Don't forget that my soil is a lifeless thing to begin with. Just a medium to to hold the water and the plant. So, even if I am stuck using a man-made fertilizer, as long as the plant grows well, so what? I'm not killing anything in any soil.....I grow in a "fake" soil, and fertilize with "fake" food...My plants grow well.....I'm happy....No Eco-devastation, kinda like growing hydro...Just gimme some sun, not the snow we are supposed to get tonight. Meditate Grasshopper. Well.....Give me a day to think...I'll get back to ya. 8--) Actually, lemme see if the library has the book. I don't have a closed mind, but in my mini-environment, I just don't see where it will make a difference. If I can use a produced fertilizer and get the same results without a negative impact, whats the diff? You have your captive plant, out of its' natural habitat and you don't care about it's natural way of eating, so you are going to feed it slop. Your plant is protected from insects that will sense the sudden build up of nitrogen in its' tender fast growing leaves? Where do you plan on dumping the excess water (chemferts) from the plant? Oh what a tangled web we weave, When first we practise to deceive! Sir Walter Scott You cheat your plant. You fudge on helping the planet. You are an embarrassment to ecologists. You are of no help to anyone. When the planet dies, you may not protest. You are no Grasshopper of mine. Be gone. -- - Billy "For the first time in the history of the world, every human being is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the moment of conception until death." - Rachel Carson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI29wVQN8Go http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1072040.html |
Time release fertilizers
"Tim" wrote in message ... Billy wrote: In article , Tim wrote: nanzi wrote: On Apr 20, 10:12 am, Tim wrote: I grow everything in containers, and use Pro-Mix BX as the soil medium. Very happy with it. It drains so well, I worry that the water soluble fertilizer leeches out too quick. A garden expert whose podcast I listen to Ron Wilson is an avid proponent of Osmakote, a time release fertilizer. Does anyone use a time release, and how do you think it works for you? Do you still give your plants extra feedings? Tim Pro-Mixhttp://www.greenhousemegastore.com/Pro-Mix-BX-38CF-Compressed/produc t... Osmakotehttp://www.scotts.com/smg/catalog/productTemplate.jsp?tabs=usage&pr oI... I have used Osmakote for a couple of years with good results, and I do not feed inbetween. Thanks ! Perhaps I will try it this year..It does surprise me that no other feedings are needed, I thought maybe once a month or so, but if you are happy with the results............... Tim btw--Down boy, down....I figured I may get some grumbles from this, but I have to ask questions based on what I do... See Charlie, it sure didn't take me long!! P-) Yeah, it's all there in black and white for everyone to see. You don't even know the name of the poison that you use, "Osmocote". That really encourages the faint hope that you can use it wisely. There are just no words to describe your brilliance. None at all. lol...Doesn't take much to get you riled, does it? Well, as long as you feel better. Tim, I think the point Billy is making, and perhaps not a bad point either, is think about other sorts of time release fertilisers also. Poop based fertilisers for example are also slow release but are also good for your soil. Don't just look at symthetic slow release, think about natural fertilisers that deliver a managed amount of nutrients to your plants and also do some benefit to your soils. rob |
Time release fertilizers
George.com wrote:
"Tim" wrote in message ... Billy wrote: In article , Tim wrote: nanzi wrote: On Apr 20, 10:12 am, Tim wrote: I grow everything in containers, and use Pro-Mix BX as the soil medium. Very happy with it. It drains so well, I worry that the water soluble fertilizer leeches out too quick. A garden expert whose podcast I listen to Ron Wilson is an avid proponent of Osmakote, a time release fertilizer. Does anyone use a time release, and how do you think it works for you? Do you still give your plants extra feedings? Tim Pro-Mixhttp://www.greenhousemegastore.com/Pro-Mix-BX-38CF-Compressed/produc t... Osmakotehttp://www.scotts.com/smg/catalog/productTemplate.jsp?tabs=usage&pr oI... I have used Osmakote for a couple of years with good results, and I do not feed inbetween. Thanks ! Perhaps I will try it this year..It does surprise me that no other feedings are needed, I thought maybe once a month or so, but if you are happy with the results............... Tim btw--Down boy, down....I figured I may get some grumbles from this, but I have to ask questions based on what I do... See Charlie, it sure didn't take me long!! P-) Yeah, it's all there in black and white for everyone to see. You don't even know the name of the poison that you use, "Osmocote". That really encourages the faint hope that you can use it wisely. There are just no words to describe your brilliance. None at all. lol...Doesn't take much to get you riled, does it? Well, as long as you feel better. Tim, I think the point Billy is making, and perhaps not a bad point either, is think about other sorts of time release fertilisers also. Poop based fertilisers for example are also slow release but are also good for your soil. Don't just look at symthetic slow release, think about natural fertilisers that deliver a managed amount of nutrients to your plants and also do some benefit to your soils. rob Hi Rob. Thanks for the well written post. At the beginning of each growing season, I do mix in some composted poop into my containers. -- Tim +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + "Strange days indeed." + + Dr. Winston O'Boogie + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ |
Time release fertilizers
On Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:58:19 -0700, Billy
wrote: In article , Bill wrote: In article , Billy wrote: Humankind has not woven the web of life.* We are but one thread within it.* Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.* All things are bound together.* All things connect.* ~Chief Seattle, 1855 Heavy storm has our cat hiding Just noise and wind and light Still it affects me and mind Easy to notice the connection to nature When it yells at us Difficult to recognize subtleness over time Sort of like the US graduated tax system Place a frog in hot water and it jumps Heat slowly and no jump Lack of toads I think of mistakes.... seeing and wonder why Still after the perilous winter perennials appearing Spring and more wonder to come Bill The brushwood, Though cut for fuel, Is beginning to bud. - Boncho Original thought Can be more interesting Than cut and paste. Kate - just sayin' |
Time release fertilizers
In article ,
Rick wrote: On Mon, 20 Apr 2009 23:55:17 -0400, Tim wrote: FarmI wrote: "Tim" wrote in message ... I grow everything in containers, and use Pro-Mix BX as the soil medium. Very happy with it. It drains so well, I worry that the water soluble fertilizer leeches out too quick. A garden expert whose podcast I listen to Ron Wilson is an avid proponent of Osmakote, a time release fertilizer. Does anyone use a time release, and how do you think it works for you? Do you still give your plants extra feedings? I use Osmacote for indoor plants and pot plants. I'd never consider using it for something I planned to eat. Ok, round two....8-) Please explain. And btw, thanks for your input It works great for heavy feeders like the strawberries I grow in containers on the deck. It is not "organic" but actually it is made from organic materials. I do, however, supplement on occasion, but only with an occasional feeding when growth is rapid or a lot of berries are forming. Is he lazy or just malicious. His senses are disconnected from rational thought. http://www.i-sis.org.uk/whoOwnsLifeNotMonsanto.php Who Owns Life? Not Monsanto. http://www.i-sis.org.uk/DMPGR.php Death by Multiple Poisoning, Glyphosate and Roundup Four different Roundup formulations of the herbicide glyphyosate manufactured by Monsanto are highly toxic to human cells, and at concentrations far below the recommended agricultural use levels. Researchers at the Institute of Biology in Caen , France published their latest results in the current issue of Chemical Research in Toxicology http://www.naturalnews.com/023254.html Monsanto: History of Contamination and Cover-up http://deltafarmpress.com/news/070903-Monsanto-Patent/ Monsanto seed patent 'rejections' leave questions Sep 3, 2007 5:06 PM, By David Bennett Farm Press Editorial Staff http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/f...monsanto200805 Monsanto's Harvest of Fear Know your enemy. Archer Daniels Midland, ConAgra, Cargill, American Cyanamid, Ciba-Geigy, Monsanto, Dow, and Syngenta are the most obvious. They want to be paid, every time you eat. -- - Billy "For the first time in the history of the world, every human being is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the moment of conception until death." - Rachel Carson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI29wVQN8Go http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1072040.html |
Time release fertilizers
"Tim" wrote in message
FarmI wrote: "Tim" wrote in message ... I grow everything in containers, and use Pro-Mix BX as the soil medium. Very happy with it. It drains so well, I worry that the water soluble fertilizer leeches out too quick. A garden expert whose podcast I listen to Ron Wilson is an avid proponent of Osmakote, a time release fertilizer. Does anyone use a time release, and how do you think it works for you? Do you still give your plants extra feedings? I use Osmacote for indoor plants and pot plants. I'd never consider using it for something I planned to eat. Ok, round two....8-) Please explain. And btw, thanks for your input! For decorative plants, I am concerned about how they look therefore the bigger and more overblown they are the better they meet that criteria. Chemicals do that in bucket loads - think gross or force feeding. For food, I am concerned about taste, nutritional quality, yield and keeping ability. Organic growing gives me that although given that I use trace elements once a year that come in a pack I don't claim to be a true organic grower. I use only animal manures, compost and teas however on beds in additon to the once yearly trace elements. I started my veg garden on dirt (not soil) that looked and acted like concrete and where not an earthworm was to be seen. Justification for that would be impossible to do in a post as I'd have to give you 40 years reading, and garden observation cut to less than a bone. Some clues: Billy's post about soil biota and ad to that brix and baume. Do a google. |
Time release fertilizers
"Billy" wrote in message
You cheat your plant. You fudge on helping the planet. You are an embarrassment to ecologists. You are of no help to anyone. When the planet dies, you may not protest. Billy, I think you are being a bit harsh on this occasion. At least Tim seems to be interested enough to be asking questions and trying to understand organics vs chemicals. The same could not be said for some of the 'nuke it till it glows' trolls we've had here. decades ago, I began gardening using chemicals. It didn't take me long to realise the error of my ways but I suspect most people in the western world begin gardening that way. The chemical companies employ very good mind bending advertising agencies. |
Time release fertilizers
"Tim" wrote in message
George.com wrote: Tim, I think the point Billy is making, and perhaps not a bad point either, is think about other sorts of time release fertilisers also. Poop based fertilisers for example are also slow release but are also good for your soil. Don't just look at symthetic slow release, think about natural fertilisers that deliver a managed amount of nutrients to your plants and also do some benefit to your soils. Hi Rob. Thanks for the well written post. At the beginning of each growing season, I do mix in some composted poop into my containers. And what do you observe? Have you tried using only composted poop in one lot, a mix of composted poopand chemicals in another lot and just chenmicals in a third lot? I wouldn't mind betting pounds to peanuts that the chemical lot looks fat and huge. |
Time release fertilizers
In article
, "FarmI" ask@itshall be given wrote: "Billy" wrote in message You cheat your plant. You fudge on helping the planet. You are an embarrassment to ecologists. You are of no help to anyone. When the planet dies, you may not protest. Billy, I think you are being a bit harsh on this occasion. At least Tim seems to be interested enough to be asking questions and trying to understand organics vs chemicals. The same could not be said for some of the 'nuke it till it glows' trolls we've had here. decades ago, I began gardening using chemicals. It didn't take me long to realise the error of my ways but I suspect most people in the western world begin gardening that way. The chemical companies employ very good mind bending advertising agencies. You don't like my pedagogical approach? Hmmmm. I was just trying to get his attention. Sometimes you need a very large 2" X 4". The length gives more leverage. He does seem a nice enough chap but he is proposing something very stupid. Very small to be sure, but stupid none the less. Organic costs nothing but our kitchen scraps. He is willing to give Monsanto money for the ability to kill topsoil. You think a charm offensive is better? OK, I'll go brush my teeth. I appreciate the thought, truly. You not the first to mention my bedside manner needs some attending to. All the best. -- - Billy "For the first time in the history of the world, every human being is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the moment of conception until death." - Rachel Carson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI29wVQN8Go http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1072040.html |
Time release fertilizers
In article , Charlie wrote:
old ******* Hey! I represent that remark. Humph. Odd you planting Jersey Giants tomorrow, I'm planting UC 157. Planning on getting an early start and it should be cooler. Hit 95F (35C) today after 68F (20C) a couple of days ago. I came back from shopping feeling as light headed as an old man. I plan on starting early tomorrow and the high is only supposed to be 81F (27C). Sliding back to 66F (19C) on Friday. Eating from the salad patch and the carrots are showing. I'll enjoy my head start for awhile but your warm evenings will have you out in front of me in no time. The hanging petunias are showing very nicely. They may replace some geraniums that have gone toes (?) up. When one of my plants dies, I die a little inside, too. ~Linda Solegato -- - Billy "For the first time in the history of the world, every human being is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the moment of conception until death." - Rachel Carson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI29wVQN8Go http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1072040.html |
Time release fertilizers
FarmI wrote:
"Tim" wrote in message George.com wrote: Tim, I think the point Billy is making, and perhaps not a bad point either, is think about other sorts of time release fertilisers also. Poop based fertilisers for example are also slow release but are also good for your soil. Don't just look at symthetic slow release, think about natural fertilisers that deliver a managed amount of nutrients to your plants and also do some benefit to your soils. Hi Rob. Thanks for the well written post. At the beginning of each growing season, I do mix in some composted poop into my containers. And what do you observe? Have you tried using only composted poop in one lot, a mix of composted poopand chemicals in another lot and just chenmicals in a third lot? I wouldn't mind betting pounds to peanuts that the chemical lot looks fat and huge. First of all...THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your prior post. 8-) If I needed attention getting, I wouldn't be here. Now, no I never did that experiment! But you raised a good point in "taste". Thats one area I've never even thought about..Used to be in my raised beds my peppers seemed at least in memory hotter, I donno. They seem to be every bit as big, and colorfull, etc...But I can't swear to the taste. Are you saying to just use the compost with NO other type of feeding? My soil-less medium has no food of it's own, what else can be mixed in? Remember, I barely have room for my pots, so a mulch or compost pile is out. -- Tim +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + "Strange days indeed." + + Dr. Winston O'Boogie + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ |
Time release fertilizers
|
Time release fertilizers
"Billy" wrote in message
"FarmI" ask@itshall be given wrote: "Billy" wrote in message You cheat your plant. You fudge on helping the planet. You are an embarrassment to ecologists. You are of no help to anyone. When the planet dies, you may not protest. Billy, I think you are being a bit harsh on this occasion. At least Tim seems to be interested enough to be asking questions and trying to understand organics vs chemicals. The same could not be said for some of the 'nuke it till it glows' trolls we've had here. decades ago, I began gardening using chemicals. It didn't take me long to realise the error of my ways but I suspect most people in the western world begin gardening that way. The chemical companies employ very good mind bending advertising agencies. You don't like my pedagogical approach? Hmmmm. I was just trying to get his attention. Sometimes you need a very large 2" X 4". The length gives more leverage. He does seem a nice enough chap but he is proposing something very stupid. Very small to be sure, but stupid none the less. Organic costs nothing but our kitchen scraps. He is willing to give Monsanto money for the ability to kill topsoil. You think a charm offensive is better? OK, I'll go brush my teeth. I appreciate the thought, truly. You not the first to mention my bedside manner needs some attending to. Billy, I have no objection whatsoever to you or anyone taking a baseball bat to someone who shows either their disagreeable side or who writes idiotic things. Lord knows I've done it often enough myself. What I do have a problem with is if you do it without first doing some analysis of the thread. Tim made sensible responses in answer to points raised so all I was trying to do was to point out that he hadn't shown any indications so far in the thread of being a troll. Don't clean you teeth yet, they might fall out because of the shock you've given them :-)) |
Time release fertilizers
"Tim" wrote in message
FarmI wrote: "Tim" wrote in message George.com wrote: Tim, I think the point Billy is making, and perhaps not a bad point either, is think about other sorts of time release fertilisers also. Poop based fertilisers for example are also slow release but are also good for your soil. Don't just look at symthetic slow release, think about natural fertilisers that deliver a managed amount of nutrients to your plants and also do some benefit to your soils. Hi Rob. Thanks for the well written post. At the beginning of each growing season, I do mix in some composted poop into my containers. And what do you observe? Have you tried using only composted poop in one lot, a mix of composted poopand chemicals in another lot and just chenmicals in a third lot? I wouldn't mind betting pounds to peanuts that the chemical lot looks fat and huge. First of all...THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your prior post. 8-) If I needed attention getting, I wouldn't be here. Now, no I never did that experiment! But you raised a good point in "taste". Thats one area I've never even thought about..Used to be in my raised beds my peppers seemed at least in memory hotter, I donno. They seem to be every bit as big, and colorfull, etc...But I can't swear to the taste. Taste is something that can also from vary season to season - yield can also do the same thing. One of those mysteries of gardening. Basically most organic gardners tend to think in terms of feeding the soil rather than feeding the plants. If you have healthy soil, you'll have healhty plants and things like taste and yield will follow from that. That's a bit general as some plants have specific needs but it's close enough at the moment. Are you saying to just use the compost with NO other type of feeding? My soil-less medium has no food of it's own, what else can be mixed in? Remember, I barely have room for my pots, so a mulch or compost pile is out. Even if you can't have a compost pile, have you considered Bokashi composting? ( http://www.bokashi.com.au/How-Bokashi-works.htm ) and you could possibly have a worm farm in the space of one large pot. I used to shove my worm food through the food processor before putting it in my worm farm. Not always a pretty sight in the domestic fod processor. Space for storage sounds like it could be a problem for you, but all gardeners who garden organically seem to find a spot to store the more bulky things that we all have. A pot or bag of chemicals takes up little space but not so organics. I don't know which country you live in so I can't be too specific on products or suppliers but look for animal manures, blood and bone and rock minerals. And if there is any doubt about the quality of those products spend the extra money and buy organic. Good quality animal manures and blood and bone have a very distinctive smell. Chemicals smell of chemicals whereas animal products have a distinct animally/earthy smell. It's a smell I love, but YMMV. Any farms near you, or stables or mushroom farms? |
Time release fertilizers
In article
, "FarmI" ask@itshall be given wrote: "Billy" wrote in message "FarmI" ask@itshall be given wrote: "Billy" wrote in message You cheat your plant. You fudge on helping the planet. You are an embarrassment to ecologists. You are of no help to anyone. When the planet dies, you may not protest. Billy, I think you are being a bit harsh on this occasion. At least Tim seems to be interested enough to be asking questions and trying to understand organics vs chemicals. The same could not be said for some of the 'nuke it till it glows' trolls we've had here. decades ago, I began gardening using chemicals. It didn't take me long to realise the error of my ways but I suspect most people in the western world begin gardening that way. The chemical companies employ very good mind bending advertising agencies. You don't like my pedagogical approach? Hmmmm. I was just trying to get his attention. Sometimes you need a very large 2" X 4". The length gives more leverage. He does seem a nice enough chap but he is proposing something very stupid. Very small to be sure, but stupid none the less. Organic costs nothing but our kitchen scraps. He is willing to give Monsanto money for the ability to kill topsoil. You think a charm offensive is better? OK, I'll go brush my teeth. I appreciate the thought, truly. You not the first to mention my bedside manner needs some attending to. Billy, I have no objection whatsoever to you or anyone taking a baseball bat to someone who shows either their disagreeable side or who writes idiotic things. Lord knows I've done it often enough myself. What I do have a problem with is if you do it without first doing some analysis of the thread. Tim made sensible responses in answer to points raised so all I was trying to do was to point out that he hadn't shown any indications so far in the thread of being a troll. No mum, no sign at all, but I did catch a hint of doubt, of vacillation. I just hates vacillation when it comes to Archer Daniels Midland, ConAgra, Cargill, American Cyanamid, Ciba-Geigy, Monsanto, or Syngenta. Grrr - owwl Don't clean you teeth yet, they might fall out because of the shock you've given them :-)) Yes mum, I was just goin' to bush them out a bit, sort of a comb over;O) -- - Billy "For the first time in the history of the world, every human being is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the moment of conception until death." - Rachel Carson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI29wVQN8Go http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1072040.html |
Time release fertilizers
"Tim" wrote in message ... FarmI wrote: "Tim" wrote in message George.com wrote: Tim, I think the point Billy is making, and perhaps not a bad point either, is think about other sorts of time release fertilisers also. Poop based fertilisers for example are also slow release but are also good for your soil. Don't just look at symthetic slow release, think about natural fertilisers that deliver a managed amount of nutrients to your plants and also do some benefit to your soils. Hi Rob. Thanks for the well written post. At the beginning of each growing season, I do mix in some composted poop into my containers. And what do you observe? Have you tried using only composted poop in one lot, a mix of composted poopand chemicals in another lot and just chenmicals in a third lot? I wouldn't mind betting pounds to peanuts that the chemical lot looks fat and huge. First of all...THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your prior post. 8-) If I needed attention getting, I wouldn't be here. Now, no I never did that experiment! But you raised a good point in "taste". Tim, here is my simplistic view on using fertilisers - synthetic and natural. I figured out a while ago that humus and organic matter in my soil is good for it. Stripping away the humus was bad for my soil. Therefore, I practise putting organic matter in to my gardens. I use composted manure, compost or mulch. Bunging that stuff on my garden improves my soil over time, but also beneifcally adds nutrients in a soil friendly manner which are released in a controlled and time released way. Therefore, I concluded, as long as I am adding organic matter tom my soil, the plants will get fed in the process. Ipso facto, why bother adding extra fertiliser. To date my veges have done nicely following this line of reasoning. They are not the largest and fastest growing, but they are healthy and aboput right size for me & the family, and they taste good. If I look after my soil, my veges look after me. rob |
Time release fertilizers
George.com wrote:
"Tim" wrote in message ... FarmI wrote: "Tim" wrote in message George.com wrote: Tim, I think the point Billy is making, and perhaps not a bad point either, is think about other sorts of time release fertilisers also. Poop based fertilisers for example are also slow release but are also good for your soil. Don't just look at symthetic slow release, think about natural fertilisers that deliver a managed amount of nutrients to your plants and also do some benefit to your soils. Hi Rob. Thanks for the well written post. At the beginning of each growing season, I do mix in some composted poop into my containers. And what do you observe? Have you tried using only composted poop in one lot, a mix of composted poopand chemicals in another lot and just chenmicals in a third lot? I wouldn't mind betting pounds to peanuts that the chemical lot looks fat and huge. First of all...THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your prior post. 8-) If I needed attention getting, I wouldn't be here. Now, no I never did that experiment! But you raised a good point in "taste". Tim, here is my simplistic view on using fertilisers - synthetic and natural. I figured out a while ago that humus and organic matter in my soil is good for it. Stripping away the humus was bad for my soil. Therefore, I practise putting organic matter in to my gardens. I use composted manure, compost or mulch. Bunging that stuff on my garden improves my soil over time, but also beneifcally adds nutrients in a soil friendly manner which are released in a controlled and time released way. Therefore, I concluded, as long as I am adding organic matter tom my soil, the plants will get fed in the process. Ipso facto, why bother adding extra fertiliser. To date my veges have done nicely following this line of reasoning. They are not the largest and fastest growing, but they are healthy and aboput right size for me & the family, and they taste good. If I look after my soil, my veges look after me. rob Thank you all for your posts. I think perhaps I may have come across different than I intended, as I am aware of most of what is being posted here. In other threads, I've stated before that I *used* to grow in raised beds, had a mulch pile, etc...and never used duck chemfer....Had great plants. When I had to switch to containers, I first started to make my own soil, and included much organic material in the pots, as that was what I was used too. Results became sporadic, both in varieties that grew well, as well as years that would differ. I played with the mix of my soil, with mixed results. Nothing consistent. See, I don't view this as a "political", or "green" thing, but one of consistency. What I have learned just having inet connectivity restored after years is that the eco-systems of containers is vastly different than land based eco-systems. ie, what works great in the ground, may not work in a container. Now, having read many posts from container specific sites, everyone else has the same problem, that try the organic approach. Looking at sites that sell organic material, one finds that the majority of fertilizers are in need of microbes and other critters to make the organic fert inorganic so the plant can use it. That, I think is the problem for organic container gardeners, some time you have the critters, some times you don't. Heck, even the temp of the growing medium makes a difference. To high or low, the critters don't work as well, or may die off. Wow, this is long, sorry. The bottom line seems to be one of consistency. The best results for most 'weekend' gardeners, seems to be a mixture of the two worlds, at least with containers. -- Tim +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + "Strange days indeed." + + Dr. Winston O'Boogie + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ |
Time release fertilizers
You seem to have friends in high places, boy. Pull up a chair.
Having a hard time finding consistency in agriculture (gardening, farming)? Welcome to the club. "Man proposes, God disposes", pretty well sums it up. Let's look again at what Rob said. "Tim, here is my simplistic view on using fertilisers - synthetic and natural. I figured out a while ago that humus and organic matter in my soil is good for it. Stripping away the humus was bad for my soil. Therefore, I practise putting organic matter in to my gardens. I use composted manure, compost or mulch. Bunging that stuff on my garden improves my soil over time, but also beneifcally adds nutrients in a soil friendly manner which are released in a controlled and time released way. Therefore, I concluded, as long as I am adding organic matter tom my soil, the plants will get fed in the process. Ipso facto, why bother adding extra fertiliser. To date my veges have done nicely following this line of reasoning. They are not the largest and fastest growing, but they are healthy and aboput right size for me & the family, and they taste good. If I look after my soil, my veges look after me." - Rob If you don't want the smell of manure around, you might try dropping a small fish into your container before planting, or you could try hair (human, dog, cat, whatever). Organic fish emulsion is handy and easy. You could plant pulse cover crops in your containers over the winter. They will have recharged your pots by spring planting. You could even bury meat scraps in your containers, over the winter. If that doesn't satisfy you look at Organic Fertilizers http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/en...rtilizer/jan89 pr6.html .. . . Compared to synthetic fertilizer formulations,organic fertilizers contain relatively low concentrations of actual nutrients, but they perform important functions which the synthetic formulations do not. They increase the organic content and consequently the water-holding capacity of the soil. They improve the physical structure of the soil which allows more air to get to plant roots. Where organic sources are used for fertilizer, bacterial and fungal activity increases in the soil. Mycorrhizal fungi which make other nutrients more available to plants thrive in soil where the organic matter content is high. Organically derived plant nutrients are slow to leach from the soil making them less likely to contribute to water pollution than synthetic fertilizers. (Excerpted from The Virginia Gardener Handbook, Diane Relf, Editor.) On the note of mycorrhizal fungi ( mycorrhizal*inoculants). Mycorrhizae is the relationship between roots and the fungi.... "They are a must if you are starting stuff in pots. They are a must if your garden and yard have had the chemical treatment, rototilled, compacted or water logged. *After a year or so, they are not needed, except for things grown in pots or unless there has been the damage described above." - Jeff Lowenfeld, co-author of Teaming with Microbes: A Gardener's Guide to the Soil Food Web Jeff Lowenfels and Wayne Lewis http://www.amazon.com/Teaming-Microb.../dp/0881927775 /ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206815176&sr= 1-1 Then there are commercial preparations, for example http://www.extremelygreen.com/fertilizerguide.cfm Three books that I would consider essential for any gardener to read would be Jeff's and Wayne's book above. The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan http://www.amazon.com/Omnivores-Dile...ls/dp/01430385 83/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206815576&sr=1-1 and "How to Grow More Vegetables" by John Jeavons http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b/...=search-alias% 3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=How+to+Grow+More+Vegetables&x=0&y=0 For a perspective on insecticides see: American Pests: The Losing War on Insects from Colonial Times to DDT by James E. McWilliams http://www.amazon.com/American-Pests...l/dp/023113942 X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238975011&sr=1-1 OK, enough chin wagging. The following are taken from "The Omnivore's Dilemma" which is cited above. ------- p. 145 - 6 When you add together the natural gas in the fertilizer to the fossil fuels it takes to make the pesticides, drive the tractors, and harvest, dry, and transport the corn, you find that every bushel of industrial corn requires the equivalent of between a quarter and a third of a gallon of oil to grow it-or around fifty gallons of oil per acre of corn. (Some estimates are much higher.) Put another way, it takes more than a calorie of fossil fuel energy to produce a calorie of food; before the advent of chemical fertilizer the Naylor farm produced more than two calories of food energy for every calorie of energy invested. --------- p.165 To provide fertility‹the farm's biggest expense‹compost is trucked in; some crops also receive fish emulsion along with their water and a side dressing of pelleted chicken manure. Over the winter a cover crop of legumes is planted to build up nitrogen in the soil. Harsh chemicals can scorch young leaves, and nitrogen fertilizers render lettuces (and other plants) more vulnerable to insects. It seems the bugs are attracted to the free nitrogen in their leaves, and because of the more rapid growth of chemically nourished plants, insects find their leaves easier to pierce. ----- p.179 A study by University of California-Davis researchers published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry in 2003 described an experiment in which identical varieties of corn, strawberries, and blackberries grown in neighboring plots using different methods (including organically and conventionally) were compared for levels of vitamins and polyphenols. Polyphenols are a group of secondary metabolites manufactured by plants that we've recently learned play an important role in human health and nutrition. Many are potent antioxidants; some play a role in preventing or fighting cancer; others exhibit antimicrobial properties. The Davis researchers found that organic and otherwise sustainably grown fruits and vegetables contained significantly higher levels of both ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and a wide range of polyphenols. . . .. . . Why in the world should organically grown blackberries or corn contain significantly more of these compounds? The authors of Davis study haven't settled the question, but they offer two suggest theories. The reason plants produce these compounds in the first place is to defend themselves against pests and diseases; the more pressure from pathogens, the more polyphenols a plant will produce. These compounds, then, are the products of natural selection and, more specifically, the coevolutionary relationship between plants and the species that prey on them. Who would have guessed that humans evolved to profit from a diet of these plant pesticides? Or that we would invent an agriculture that then deprived us of them? The Davis authors hypothesize that plants being defended by man-made pesticides don't need to work as hard to make their own polyphenol pesticides. Coddled by us and our chemicals, the plants see no reason to invest their sources in mounting a strong defense. ------ OK, study-up. There will be a test at the end of the week. ------ On a personal note, what have been your most informative container gardening sites? In all matters of opinion, our adversaries are insane. Oscar Wilde In article , Tim wrote: But you raised a good point in "taste". Tim, here is my simplistic view on using fertilisers - synthetic and natural. I figured out a while ago that humus and organic matter in my soil is good for it. Stripping away the humus was bad for my soil. Therefore, I practise putting organic matter in to my gardens. I use composted manure, compost or mulch. Bunging that stuff on my garden improves my soil over time, but also beneifcally adds nutrients in a soil friendly manner which are released in a controlled and time released way. Therefore, I concluded, as long as I am adding organic matter tom my soil, the plants will get fed in the process. Ipso facto, why bother adding extra fertiliser. To date my veges have done nicely following this line of reasoning. They are not the largest and fastest growing, but they are healthy and aboput right size for me & the family, and they taste good. If I look after my soil, my veges look after me. rob Thank you all for your posts. I think perhaps I may have come across different than I intended, as I am aware of most of what is being posted here. In other threads, I've stated before that I *used* to grow in raised beds, had a mulch pile, etc...and never used duck chemfer....Had great plants. When I had to switch to containers, I first started to make my own soil, and included much organic material in the pots, as that was what I was used too. Results became sporadic, both in varieties that grew well, as well as years that would differ. I played with the mix of my soil, with mixed results. Nothing consistent. See, I don't view this as a "political", or "green" thing, but one of consistency. What I have learned just having inet connectivity restored after years is that the eco-systems of containers is vastly different than land based eco-systems. ie, what works great in the ground, may not work in a container. Now, having read many posts from container specific sites, everyone else has the same problem, that try the organic approach. Looking at sites that sell organic material, one finds that the majority of fertilizers are in need of microbes and other critters to make the organic fert inorganic so the plant can use it. That, I think is the problem for organic container gardeners, some time you have the critters, some times you don't. Heck, even the temp of the growing medium makes a difference. To high or low, the critters don't work as well, or may die off. Wow, this is long, sorry. The bottom line seems to be one of consistency. The best results for most 'weekend' gardeners, seems to be a mixture of the two worlds, at least with containers. -- Tim -- - Billy "For the first time in the history of the world, every human being is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the moment of conception until death." - Rachel Carson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI29wVQN8Go http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1072040.html |
Time release fertilizers
"Billy" wrote in message
"FarmI" ask@itshall be given wrote: Don't clean you teeth yet, they might fall out because of the shock you've given them :-)) Yes mum, I was just goin' to bush them out a bit, sort of a comb over;O) Snort! That'd I'd love to see. Teeth with a comb over! Just let them go bald and be proud of them as there is nothing worse than a comb over. I saw a chap in a cafe a couple of weeks ago who had a comb over that came from about 1 inch above his collar. It was so disgusting and fascinating that I couldn't stop staring. He must have used Super Glue to keep it in place. |
Time release fertilizers
"Tim" wrote in message
Wow, this is long, sorry. The bottom line seems to be one of consistency. The best results for most 'weekend' gardeners, seems to be a mixture of the two worlds, at least with containers. I'm not sure what you mean by your reference to 'weekend' gardeners. I think I probably achieved more in the garden when I still had a full time job than I do now that I just do occasional work. I was more organised when I worked as I knew I had to get it done. Now I know I have all the time in the world (or at leas till the Grim Reaper comes calling). |
Time release fertilizers
In article
, Billy wrote: There will be a test at the end of the week. Take your time. You have until the end of the month to complete this test. For 100 points. Q. What is your favorite color? A. _ _ _ _ _ _ -- - Billy "For the first time in the history of the world, every human being is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the moment of conception until death." - Rachel Carson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI29wVQN8Go http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1072040.html |
Time release fertilizers
Once you finish the test, you may wish to look at the following sights,
er, sites. http://www.dummies.com/how-to/conten...nic-garden.htm l and http://www.dummies.com/how-to/conten...from-seed-and- seedling.html As I may be away for a couple of days, I'm asking Ms. Rice to sub for me, and I'm sure she will do a wonderful job of maintaining the continuity of the class. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/am...45748353446.ht ml In all matters of opinion, our adversaries are insane. Oscar Wilde -- - Billy "For the first time in the history of the world, every human being is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the moment of conception until death." - Rachel Carson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI29wVQN8Go http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1072040.html |
Time release fertilizers
"FarmI" ask@itshall be given wrote in message ... "Billy" wrote in message "FarmI" ask@itshall be given wrote: Don't clean you teeth yet, they might fall out because of the shock you've given them :-)) Yes mum, I was just goin' to bush them out a bit, sort of a comb over;O) Snort! That'd I'd love to see. Teeth with a comb over! Just let them go bald and be proud of them as there is nothing worse than a comb over. I saw a chap in a cafe a couple of weeks ago who had a comb over that came from about 1 inch above his collar. It was so disgusting and fascinating that I couldn't stop staring. He must have used Super Glue to keep it in place. pictures? Comb overs, groan. Hoped they'd have gone out with walk shorts and walk socks. Guy in my office still does a comb over, though not from that far down. That said, I maintain a "comb forward" to disguise the advancing forehead. rob |
Time release fertilizers
"George.com" wrote in message ... "FarmI" ask@itshall be given wrote in message ... "Billy" wrote in message "FarmI" ask@itshall be given wrote: Don't clean you teeth yet, they might fall out because of the shock you've given them :-)) Yes mum, I was just goin' to bush them out a bit, sort of a comb over;O) Snort! That'd I'd love to see. Teeth with a comb over! Just let them go bald and be proud of them as there is nothing worse than a comb over. I saw a chap in a cafe a couple of weeks ago who had a comb over that came from about 1 inch above his collar. It was so disgusting and fascinating that I couldn't stop staring. He must have used Super Glue to keep it in place. pictures? Comb overs, groan. as bad as this one? half way down the page http://www.everythingismiscellaneous...008/12/page/2/ |
Time release fertilizers
In article ,
"George.com" wrote: "George.com" wrote in message ... "FarmI" ask@itshall be given wrote in message ... "Billy" wrote in message "FarmI" ask@itshall be given wrote: Don't clean you teeth yet, they might fall out because of the shock you've given them :-)) Yes mum, I was just goin' to bush them out a bit, sort of a comb over;O) Snort! That'd I'd love to see. Teeth with a comb over! Just let them go bald and be proud of them as there is nothing worse than a comb over. I saw a chap in a cafe a couple of weeks ago who had a comb over that came from about 1 inch above his collar. It was so disgusting and fascinating that I couldn't stop staring. He must have used Super Glue to keep it in place. pictures? Comb overs, groan. as bad as this one? half way down the page http://www.everythingismiscellaneous...008/12/page/2/ Another alternative is to preemptively shave your head, which is OK, except, if you are a white guy, your head looks like a thumb. -- - Billy "For the first time in the history of the world, every human being is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the moment of conception until death." - Rachel Carson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI29wVQN8Go http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1072040.html |
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