How to create the perfect soil for annual flowers
Having a small garden with sandy/stony soil, I've decided to start from
scratch on a couple of raised beds by ditching the existing soil and replacing it with something better. As this is a small project, I don't care about the cost of materials but they need to be available from the garden centre in 25kg bags. Am I right in thinking that general purpose compost and sharp sand should form the bulk? Things seem to grow well enough in that medium but for how long? As a compost bin isn't practical for me, can I buy the equivalent as a commercial product? Maybe a Phostrogen type liquid feed would be as good? Any advice appreciated |
How to create the perfect soil for annual flowers
On Sun, 16 Mar 2008 12:14:26 GMT, Stuart Noble
wrote: Having a small garden with sandy/stony soil, I've decided to start from scratch on a couple of raised beds by ditching the existing soil and replacing it with something better. As this is a small project, I don't care about the cost of materials but they need to be available from the garden centre in 25kg bags. Am I right in thinking that general purpose compost and sharp sand should form the bulk? Things seem to grow well enough in that medium but for how long? As a compost bin isn't practical for me, can I buy the equivalent as a commercial product? Maybe a Phostrogen type liquid feed would be as good? Any advice appreciated You could ask your local council who recycles their green waste - sometimes they sell it back to residents at a discount. -- http://www.freedeliveryuk.co.uk |
How to create the perfect soil for annual flowers
On Sun, 16 Mar 2008 14:10:36 +0000, mogga
wrote: On Sun, 16 Mar 2008 12:14:26 GMT, Stuart Noble wrote: Having a small garden with sandy/stony soil, I've decided to start from scratch on a couple of raised beds by ditching the existing soil and replacing it with something better. As this is a small project, I don't care about the cost of materials but they need to be available from the garden centre in 25kg bags. Am I right in thinking that general purpose compost and sharp sand should form the bulk? Things seem to grow well enough in that medium but for how long? As a compost bin isn't practical for me, can I buy the equivalent as a commercial product? Maybe a Phostrogen type liquid feed would be as good? Any advice appreciated You could ask your local council who recycles their green waste - sometimes they sell it back to residents at a discount. I have wondered about this? How do you know that someone has not recycled their foliage after applying weed-killer? I am not sure I would risk it. -- judith. |
How to create the perfect soil for annual flowers
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How to create the perfect soil for annual flowers
On Mar 16, 12:14 pm, Stuart Noble
wrote: Having a small garden with sandy/stony soil, I've decided to start from scratch on a couple of raised beds by ditching the existing soil and replacing it with something better. As this is a small project, I don't care about the cost of materials but they need to be available from the garden centre in 25kg bags. Am I right in thinking that general purpose compost and sharp sand should form the bulk? Things seem to grow well enough in that medium but for how long? As a compost bin isn't practical for me, can I buy the equivalent as a commercial product? Maybe a Phostrogen type liquid feed would be as good? Any advice appreciated I was going to arrange for the local stables to drop off a trailer load of manure, now I'm not so sure as when the horses are treated with anti-biotics or worming medicine, this too is composted. I would put it on a flower bed but don't think I would want it on the veggies, unless someone knows more than me, perhaps the heat kills anything dangerous? Judith |
How to create the perfect soil for annual flowers
On 16 Mar, 16:39, Judith in France
wrote: On Mar 16, 12:14 pm, Stuart Noble wrote: Having a small garden with sandy/stony soil, I've decided to start from scratch on a couple of raised beds by ditching the existing soil and replacing it with something better. As this is a small project, I don't care about the cost of materials but they need to be available from the garden centre in 25kg bags. Am I right in thinking that general purpose compost and sharp sand should form the bulk? Things seem to grow well enough in that medium but for how long? As a compost bin isn't practical for me, can I buy the equivalent as a commercial product? Maybe a Phostrogen type liquid feed would be as good? Any advice appreciated I was going to arrange for the local stables to drop off a trailer load of manure, now I'm not so sure as when the horses are treated with anti-biotics or worming medicine, this too is composted. *I would put it on a flower bed but don't think I would want it on the veggies, unless someone knows more than me, perhaps the heat kills anything dangerous? Judith I wouldn't wory, if you think of the ammount of antibiotic used for one horse, the bulk will be absorbed into the body, then what passes through is then diluted into a full load of manure it will be so diluted there is no way it could harm you. Much mor risk from eating chickens that have had a dose of Anti biotic. Winter stable manure should be free from wormer residue, if in doubt ask them David Hill Abacus Nurseries |
How to create the perfect soil for annual flowers
On Mar 16, 8:49 pm, Dave Hill wrote:
On 16 Mar, 16:39, Judith in France wrote: On Mar 16, 12:14 pm, Stuart Noble wrote: Having a small garden with sandy/stony soil, I've decided to start from scratch on a couple of raised beds by ditching the existing soil and replacing it with something better. As this is a small project, I don't care about the cost of materials but they need to be available from the garden centre in 25kg bags. Am I right in thinking that general purpose compost and sharp sand should form the bulk? Things seem to grow well enough in that medium but for how long? As a compost bin isn't practical for me, can I buy the equivalent as a commercial product? Maybe a Phostrogen type liquid feed would be as good? Any advice appreciated I was going to arrange for the local stables to drop off a trailer load of manure, now I'm not so sure as when the horses are treated with anti-biotics or worming medicine, this too is composted. I would put it on a flower bed but don't think I would want it on the veggies, unless someone knows more than me, perhaps the heat kills anything dangerous? Judith I wouldn't wory, if you think of the ammount of antibiotic used for one horse, the bulk will be absorbed into the body, then what passes through is then diluted into a full load of manure it will be so diluted there is no way it could harm you. Much mor risk from eating chickens that have had a dose of Anti biotic. Winter stable manure should be free from wormer residue, if in doubt ask them David Hill Abacus Nurseries Thank you David, that puts my mind at rest. Judith |
How to create the perfect soil for annual flowers
Stuart Noble wrote:
Having a small garden with sandy/stony soil, I've decided to start from scratch on a couple of raised beds by ditching the existing soil and replacing it with something better. As this is a small project, I don't care about the cost of materials but they need to be available from the garden centre in 25kg bags. Am I right in thinking that general purpose compost and sharp sand should form the bulk? Things seem to grow well enough in that medium but for how long? As a compost bin isn't practical for me, can I buy the equivalent as a commercial product? Maybe a Phostrogen type liquid feed would be as good? Any advice appreciated As you have sandy/stony soil, I do not understand why you need to buy sharp sand to make up your growing medium. Why not get twice as much decent compost or manure, and mix your current garden soil with that? If you don't have enough composted material in your soil, you'll be forever watering if we have a dry summer. -- Jeff (cut "thetape" to reply) |
How to create the perfect soil for annual flowers
On 17 Mar, 09:22, "Jeff Layman" wrote:
Stuart Noble wrote: Having a small garden with sandy/stony soil, I've decided to start from scratch on a couple of raised beds by ditching the existing soil and replacing it with something better. As this is a small project, I don't care about the cost of materials but they need to be available from the garden centre in 25kg bags. Am I right in thinking that general purpose compost and sharp sand should form the bulk? Things seem to grow well enough in that medium but for how long? As a compost bin isn't practical for me, can I buy the equivalent as a commercial product? Maybe a Phostrogen type liquid feed would be as good? Any advice appreciated As you have sandy/stony soil, I do not understand why you need to buy sharp sand to make up your growing medium. *Why not get twice as much decent compost or manure, and mix your current garden soil with that? If you don't have enough composted material in your soil, you'll be forever watering if we have a dry summer. -- Jeff (cut "thetape" to reply) Maybe I have the wrong impression of the conditions in your garden.. but sandy/stony soil sounds the perfect growing medium for lots of annuals - most don't need a rich soil. I'd just keep adding plenty of organic matter to the existing soil. |
How to create the perfect soil for annual flowers
Ornata wrote:
On 17 Mar, 09:22, "Jeff Layman" wrote: Stuart Noble wrote: Having a small garden with sandy/stony soil, I've decided to start from scratch on a couple of raised beds by ditching the existing soil and replacing it with something better. As this is a small project, I don't care about the cost of materials but they need to be available from the garden centre in 25kg bags. Am I right in thinking that general purpose compost and sharp sand should form the bulk? Things seem to grow well enough in that medium but for how long? As a compost bin isn't practical for me, can I buy the equivalent as a commercial product? Maybe a Phostrogen type liquid feed would be as good? Any advice appreciated As you have sandy/stony soil, I do not understand why you need to buy sharp sand to make up your growing medium. Why not get twice as much decent compost or manure, and mix your current garden soil with that? If you don't have enough composted material in your soil, you'll be forever watering if we have a dry summer. -- Jeff (cut "thetape" to reply) Maybe I have the wrong impression of the conditions in your garden.. but sandy/stony soil sounds the perfect growing medium for lots of annuals - most don't need a rich soil. I'd just keep adding plenty of organic matter to the existing soil. As I explained, for practical reasons I am limited to what I can buy from a garden centre, so what do I buy that will do the same as "adding organic matter"? |
How to create the perfect soil for annual flowers
Jeff Layman wrote:
Stuart Noble wrote: Having a small garden with sandy/stony soil, I've decided to start from scratch on a couple of raised beds by ditching the existing soil and replacing it with something better. As this is a small project, I don't care about the cost of materials but they need to be available from the garden centre in 25kg bags. Am I right in thinking that general purpose compost and sharp sand should form the bulk? Things seem to grow well enough in that medium but for how long? As a compost bin isn't practical for me, can I buy the equivalent as a commercial product? Maybe a Phostrogen type liquid feed would be as good? Any advice appreciated As you have sandy/stony soil, I do not understand why you need to buy sharp sand to make up your growing medium. Why not get twice as much decent compost or manure, and mix your current garden soil with that? If you don't have enough composted material in your soil, you'll be forever watering if we have a dry summer. Well I can add B&Q compost to retain water, but what about nutrients? What does general purpose compost actually consist of anyway? |
How to create the perfect soil for annual flowers
Stuart Noble wrote:
Ornata wrote: On 17 Mar, 09:22, "Jeff Layman" wrote: Stuart Noble wrote: Having a small garden with sandy/stony soil, I've decided to start from scratch on a couple of raised beds by ditching the existing soil and replacing it with something better. As this is a small project, I don't care about the cost of materials but they need to be available from the garden centre in 25kg bags. Am I right in thinking that general purpose compost and sharp sand should form the bulk? Things seem to grow well enough in that medium but for how long? As a compost bin isn't practical for me, can I buy the equivalent as a commercial product? Maybe a Phostrogen type liquid feed would be as good? Any advice appreciated As you have sandy/stony soil, I do not understand why you need to buy sharp sand to make up your growing medium. Why not get twice as much decent compost or manure, and mix your current garden soil with that? If you don't have enough composted material in your soil, you'll be forever watering if we have a dry summer. -- Jeff (cut "thetape" to reply) Maybe I have the wrong impression of the conditions in your garden.. but sandy/stony soil sounds the perfect growing medium for lots of annuals - most don't need a rich soil. I'd just keep adding plenty of organic matter to the existing soil. As I explained, for practical reasons I am limited to what I can buy from a garden centre, so what do I buy that will do the same as "adding organic matter"? Composted bark, other composted matter, John Innes 3. Any general purpose compost. Just because you want to grow annuals it doesn't mean that you have to go with poor soil. If you use rich soil the annuals will still grow well, and you won't have to add fertilisers for a year or two. -- Jeff (cut "thetape" to reply) |
How to create the perfect soil for annual flowers
Jeff Layman wrote:
Stuart Noble wrote: Ornata wrote: On 17 Mar, 09:22, "Jeff Layman" wrote: Stuart Noble wrote: Having a small garden with sandy/stony soil, I've decided to start from scratch on a couple of raised beds by ditching the existing soil and replacing it with something better. As this is a small project, I don't care about the cost of materials but they need to be available from the garden centre in 25kg bags. Am I right in thinking that general purpose compost and sharp sand should form the bulk? Things seem to grow well enough in that medium but for how long? As a compost bin isn't practical for me, can I buy the equivalent as a commercial product? Maybe a Phostrogen type liquid feed would be as good? Any advice appreciated As you have sandy/stony soil, I do not understand why you need to buy sharp sand to make up your growing medium. Why not get twice as much decent compost or manure, and mix your current garden soil with that? If you don't have enough composted material in your soil, you'll be forever watering if we have a dry summer. -- Jeff (cut "thetape" to reply) Maybe I have the wrong impression of the conditions in your garden.. but sandy/stony soil sounds the perfect growing medium for lots of annuals - most don't need a rich soil. I'd just keep adding plenty of organic matter to the existing soil. As I explained, for practical reasons I am limited to what I can buy from a garden centre, so what do I buy that will do the same as "adding organic matter"? Composted bark, other composted matter, John Innes 3. Any general purpose compost. Thanks for replying It looks as though the latter consists of: 7 Loam 3 Peat 2 Sand to which 0.6kg ground limestone 3.6kg hoof and horn meal 3.6kg superphosphate 1.8kg potassium sulphate is added per cubic metre Just because you want to grow annuals it doesn't mean that you have to go with poor soil. If you use rich soil the annuals will still grow well, and you won't have to add fertilisers for a year or two. It also says, "nutrients are typically sufficient for 1-2 months of growing, after which time additional proprietary feed should be given". Doesn't sound very long does it? I imagine "topsoil" and "loam" are pretty much the same thing? |
How to create the perfect soil for annual flowers
On 17 Mar, 10:14, Stuart Noble
wrote: Ornata wrote: On 17 Mar, 09:22, "Jeff Layman" wrote: Stuart Noble wrote: Having a small garden with sandy/stony soil, I've decided to start from scratch on a couple of raised beds by ditching the existing soil and replacing it with something better. As this is a small project, I don't care about the cost of materials but they need to be available from the garden centre in 25kg bags. Am I right in thinking that general purpose compost and sharp sand should form the bulk? Things seem to grow well enough in that medium but for how long? As a compost bin isn't practical for me, can I buy the equivalent as a commercial product? Maybe a Phostrogen type liquid feed would be as good? Any advice appreciated As you have sandy/stony soil, I do not understand why you need to buy sharp sand to make up your growing medium. Why not get twice as much decent compost or manure, and mix your current garden soil with that? If you don't have enough composted material in your soil, you'll be forever watering if we have a dry summer. -- Jeff (cut "thetape" to reply) Maybe I have the wrong impression of the conditions in your garden.. but sandy/stony soil sounds the perfect growing medium for lots of annuals - most don't need a rich soil. I'd just keep adding plenty of organic matter to the existing soil. As I explained, for practical reasons I am limited to what I can buy from a garden centre, so what do I buy that will do the same as "adding organic matter"? |
How to create the perfect soil for annual flowers
On 17/3/08 17:27, in article
, "bobharvey" wrote: snip As I explained, for practical reasons I am limited to what I can buy from a garden centre, so what do I buy that will do the same as "adding organic matter"? If it's available to you, straw or spent mushroom compost is good. Some places might make a small charge for delivering. -- Sacha http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon 'We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.' |
How to create the perfect soil for annual flowers
Sacha wrote:
On 17/3/08 17:27, in article , "bobharvey" wrote: snip As I explained, for practical reasons I am limited to what I can buy from a garden centre, so what do I buy that will do the same as "adding organic matter"? If it's available to you, straw or spent mushroom compost is good. Some places might make a small charge for delivering. Thanks. I'll keep an eye out. |
How to create the perfect soil for annual flowers
Stuart Noble wrote:
Jeff Layman wrote: Stuart Noble wrote: Ornata wrote: On 17 Mar, 09:22, "Jeff Layman" wrote: Stuart Noble wrote: Having a small garden with sandy/stony soil, I've decided to start from scratch on a couple of raised beds by ditching the existing soil and replacing it with something better. As this is a small project, I don't care about the cost of materials but they need to be available from the garden centre in 25kg bags. Am I right in thinking that general purpose compost and sharp sand should form the bulk? Things seem to grow well enough in that medium but for how long? As a compost bin isn't practical for me, can I buy the equivalent as a commercial product? Maybe a Phostrogen type liquid feed would be as good? Any advice appreciated As you have sandy/stony soil, I do not understand why you need to buy sharp sand to make up your growing medium. Why not get twice as much decent compost or manure, and mix your current garden soil with that? If you don't have enough composted material in your soil, you'll be forever watering if we have a dry summer. -- Jeff (cut "thetape" to reply) Maybe I have the wrong impression of the conditions in your garden.. but sandy/stony soil sounds the perfect growing medium for lots of annuals - most don't need a rich soil. I'd just keep adding plenty of organic matter to the existing soil. As I explained, for practical reasons I am limited to what I can buy from a garden centre, so what do I buy that will do the same as "adding organic matter"? Composted bark, other composted matter, John Innes 3. Any general purpose compost. Thanks for replying It looks as though the latter consists of: 7 Loam 3 Peat 2 Sand to which 0.6kg ground limestone 3.6kg hoof and horn meal 3.6kg superphosphate 1.8kg potassium sulphate is added per cubic metre Just because you want to grow annuals it doesn't mean that you have to go with poor soil. If you use rich soil the annuals will still grow well, and you won't have to add fertilisers for a year or two. It also says, "nutrients are typically sufficient for 1-2 months of growing, after which time additional proprietary feed should be given". Doesn't sound very long does it? I imagine "topsoil" and "loam" are pretty much the same thing? It doesn't sound very long, but they are probably erring on the side of caution. I would be most surprised if you didn't get a good display of annuals without additional feeding. Remember too that hoof and horn meal is effectively a "slow-release" fertiliser, as it takes time to break down in the soil. Salts like Potassium sulphate are very soluble in water and will get quickly washed out of sandy soil. Soils containing clay and humus hang on to soluble material much better. I would agree with you that topsoil and loam are pretty much the same thing. -- Jeff (cut "thetape" to reply) |
How to create the perfect soil for annual flowers
Jeff Layman wrote:
Stuart Noble wrote: Jeff Layman wrote: Stuart Noble wrote: Ornata wrote: On 17 Mar, 09:22, "Jeff Layman" wrote: Stuart Noble wrote: Having a small garden with sandy/stony soil, I've decided to start from scratch on a couple of raised beds by ditching the existing soil and replacing it with something better. As this is a small project, I don't care about the cost of materials but they need to be available from the garden centre in 25kg bags. Am I right in thinking that general purpose compost and sharp sand should form the bulk? Things seem to grow well enough in that medium but for how long? As a compost bin isn't practical for me, can I buy the equivalent as a commercial product? Maybe a Phostrogen type liquid feed would be as good? Any advice appreciated As you have sandy/stony soil, I do not understand why you need to buy sharp sand to make up your growing medium. Why not get twice as much decent compost or manure, and mix your current garden soil with that? If you don't have enough composted material in your soil, you'll be forever watering if we have a dry summer. -- Jeff (cut "thetape" to reply) Maybe I have the wrong impression of the conditions in your garden.. but sandy/stony soil sounds the perfect growing medium for lots of annuals - most don't need a rich soil. I'd just keep adding plenty of organic matter to the existing soil. As I explained, for practical reasons I am limited to what I can buy from a garden centre, so what do I buy that will do the same as "adding organic matter"? Composted bark, other composted matter, John Innes 3. Any general purpose compost. Thanks for replying It looks as though the latter consists of: 7 Loam 3 Peat 2 Sand to which 0.6kg ground limestone 3.6kg hoof and horn meal 3.6kg superphosphate 1.8kg potassium sulphate is added per cubic metre Just because you want to grow annuals it doesn't mean that you have to go with poor soil. If you use rich soil the annuals will still grow well, and you won't have to add fertilisers for a year or two. It also says, "nutrients are typically sufficient for 1-2 months of growing, after which time additional proprietary feed should be given". Doesn't sound very long does it? I imagine "topsoil" and "loam" are pretty much the same thing? It doesn't sound very long, but they are probably erring on the side of caution. I would be most surprised if you didn't get a good display of annuals without additional feeding. Remember too that hoof and horn meal is effectively a "slow-release" fertiliser, as it takes time to break down in the soil. Salts like Potassium sulphate are very soluble in water and will get quickly washed out of sandy soil. Soils containing clay and humus hang on to soluble material much better. I would agree with you that topsoil and loam are pretty much the same thing. Thanks. Now I know what the basic ingredients are I can hopefully just add what I think I'm short of :-) |
How to create the perfect soil for annual flowers
On Mar 17, 2:22*pm, "Jeff Layman" wrote:
Stuart Noble wrote: Having a small garden with sandy/stony soil, I've decided to start from scratch on a couple of raised beds by ditching the existing soil and replacing it with something better. As this is a small project, I don't care about the cost of materials but they need to be available from the garden centre in 25kg bags. Am I right in thinking that general purpose compost and sharp sand should form the bulk? Things seem to grow well enough in that medium but for how long? As a compost bin isn't practical for me, can I buy the equivalent as a commercial product? Maybe a Phostrogen type liquid feed would be as good? Any advice appreciated As you have sandy/stony soil, I do not understand why you need to buy sharp sand to make up your growing medium. *Why not get twice as much decent compost or manure, and mix your current garden soil with that? If you don't have enough composted material in your soil, you'll be forever watering if we have a dry summer. -- Jeff (cut "thetape" to reply) Do you have a pH meter to check your soil B.Shah |
How to create the perfect soil for annual flowers
On Mar 17, 3:14*pm, Stuart Noble
wrote: Ornata wrote: On 17 Mar, 09:22, "Jeff Layman" wrote: Stuart Noble wrote: Having a small garden with sandy/stony soil, I've decided to start from scratch on a couple of raised beds by ditching the existing soil and replacing it with something better. As this is a small project, I don't care about the cost of materials but they need to be available from the garden centre in 25kg bags. Am I right in thinking that general purpose compost and sharp sand should form the bulk? Things seem to grow well enough in that medium but for how long? As a compost bin isn't practical for me, can I buy the equivalent as a commercial product? Maybe a Phostrogen type liquid feed would be as good? Any advice appreciated As you have sandy/stony soil, I do not understand why you need to buy sharp sand to make up your growing medium. *Why not get twice as much decent compost or manure, and mix your current garden soil with that? If you don't have enough composted material in your soil, you'll be forever watering if we have a dry summer. -- Jeff (cut "thetape" to reply) Maybe I have the wrong impression of the conditions in your garden.. but sandy/stony soil sounds the perfect growing medium for lots of annuals - most don't need a rich soil. *I'd just keep adding plenty of organic matter to the existing soil. As I explained, for practical reasons I am limited to what I can buy from a garden centre, so what do I buy that will do the same as "adding organic matter"?- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Are your plants not growing normally, What is the pH content of your soil.? If it is not growing normally, then put a Rusty nail 5inches away dig a hole 3inches place the nail and cover spring a little water, this will raise the iron content from 0.04 to 0.07 and the problem will be solved. Further questions I am an organic gardener the Eastern Way |
How to create the perfect soil for annual flowers
On 19 Apr, 13:36, shahwin wrote:
On Mar 17, 2:22*pm, "Jeff Layman" wrote: Stuart Noble wrote: Having a small garden with sandy/stony soil, I've decided to start from scratch on a couple of raised beds by ditching the existing soil and replacing it with something better. As this is a small project, I don't care about the cost of materials but they need to be available from the garden centre in 25kg bags. Am I right in thinking that general purpose compost and sharp sand should form the bulk? Things seem to grow well enough in that medium but for how long? As a compost bin isn't practical for me, can I buy the equivalent as a commercial product? Maybe a Phostrogen type liquid feed would be as good? Any advice appreciated As you have sandy/stony soil, I do not understand why you need to buy sharp sand to make up your growing medium. *Why not get twice as much decent compost or manure, and mix your current garden soil with that? If you don't have enough composted material in your soil, you'll be forever watering if we have a dry summer. -- Jeff (cut "thetape" to reply) Do you have a pH meter to check your soil B.Shah- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - If you buy a Ph meterjust be carefull. check that it is reading OK, I bought one a few weeks ago, I was supprised to find the field which hadnt seen any lime for 3 years was giving me a ph reading of 7.5 to 8 and according to it Vinegar was extremly Alkaline, I complained to the firm importing them and they sent me another , same results, I had to reverse the wires to get an accurate reading A lot of these things are mass produced in china ........I say no more, the old Ph testing kit is a safer bet for small tests. David Hill |
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