soil prep - shud I do anything else?

I wish now I had put more thought and time into the soil but being a beginner we learn from lessons. I have completed planting in my new garden paying a lot of attention into getting the correct plants from good sources for the various areas in the garden (ensuring the plants will tolerate the winter and conditions they are planted in)

They are all in various raised beds/sections which were filled with soil/good compost and some soil enhancer around the planting areas. I wish I had of used more soil and less compost and added a fertiliser of some sort. But what I done was used what I had which was about 70% compost 30% soil. I have been reading more lately around this and hope that the young plants will do OK in this. There is good drainage.

What I want to ask is there anything else I should/could do now with the soil that the planting is complete. I dont really have any room to add substance as the levels would be too high (at least until the time comes when there is some shrinkage and then I could add more soil to get a better balance)

Is there any food/liquid food I should be looking at before I leave it all to winter in. As I said I cant really put more quantity of anything else in until shrinkage occurs - hence the mentioning of liquid etc. Can you get liquid fertiliser for outdoor plants? In summary given what i cannot do is there anythign else I should be doing to the soil to help these young plants as much as possible

I am new and will learn by my mistakes so please be gentle :o

 

I wouldn't fertilise anything as were coming up to the dormant period now and I think there is probably enough fertiliser and nutrients in the compost already for the plants to be getting along with

 

Sounds as if you`ve done a good job there JB, as Aesculus says, don`t feed anymore this year, let the plants establish themselves before you feed them again.

 

I tend to differ, but bear in mind that I am still learning

I would add a fertilizer that will feed the roots during the cold wet months (that's what I have been doing in several gardens)

you have 2 choices ... superphosphate or bonemeal (not blood/bone/fish)

reading your post, you have not added any manure .... I have been mulching plants/shrubs with well rotted organic farmyard manure ... offers some protection during the cold months, and also improves the soil structure

same for lawns .... I've been adding bonemeal to feed the roots, and in spring will see the condition of the lawn/weeds and take it from there

 

Good Point That Person

 

Thanks everyone - Being a complete newbie I have to go along with the majority and its reassuring to hear that I have not completely messed up.

If I did change my mind based on a few others saying something different could I do harm by adding something like superphosphate or bonemeal now?

Its not that I intend doing it - I am asking to learn

 

I've been doing it for 3 years during late autumn/winter .... never had a problem ... and I've been adding bonemeal to lawns in the past few weeks

but as I said, I'm still learning


:o

 

*dim*, overwinter, plants are dormant, they are NOT taking up nutrients. You are just wasting your time, and, more importantly, your clients money by using fertiliser now.

 

I'm not so sure about that Dai ....

a quick google brought up this info:

Fall Fertilizing | Gardening | This Old House - 1

snip:
By now, perennials are starting to fade but they will benefit from 0-20-0 super phosphate fertilizer scattered around the plants at recommended doses and lightly cultivated into the soil. Next spring you'll have stronger plants with more flowers.

Fall is also a great time to fertilize shrubs and trees. In my opinion, all trees and shrubs need fertilizer, because most of them are located in mulch beds that use up nitrogen as they decompose. In addition, every fall we rake leaves off these beds, depriving plants of the nutrients that decomposing leaves would traditionally release. To compensate, I recommend applying one to three pounds of slow-release nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of bed and cultivating lightly. (To figure out the exact amount of fertilizer you'll need, calculate the square footage of your beds and consult with your local garden center.) I prefer fertilizing trees in late September and early October to promote root growth. These nutrients will still be in the soil come spring when plants start to grow. If you have a tree or shrub that does not flower well, a dose of super phosphate will help promote flower growth

----------------------------------
Palm Tree Care, Fertilzing Palm Trees

snip:

Consider fertilizing in the winter as well. This is controversial. The theory is that the plants can absorb elements needed to maintain strength during cold weather and be prepared for spring growth when the weather warms. Opponents would say it encourages winter growth of vulnerable new leaves.

--------------------------
http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/agcomm/publications/Ag-613a.pdf

snip:

[FONT=Souvenir.Light.BT083.313][FONT=Souvenir.Light.BT083.313]

Fertilizer applied in the fall is
more effective in promoting plant​

growth than spring-applied fertilizer

--------------

lots more on google, so, in my opinion, a little bonemeal scattered around the shrubs or plants could be a good thing when applied in the fall?
[/FONT][/FONT]

 

I listen to what everyone says (I even listen to Dai)

.... then I decide for myself ....

.... I am also not afraid to try new things (I always try new things at least once)

always thought that 'fall' meant autumn?

I am so busy (work 7 days a week and am even going to be very busy during winter .... I have several total landscaping jobs in spring) .... so I don't have any spare time to attend courses but would love to ....

as for books, it's easier on google as you type in a few keywords and get a zillion direct articles .... or post a question on Gardener's Corner and you get the answer within minutes

I spend a couple of hours on this forum, and 2 others daily and learn from here