1. IMPORTANT - NEW & EXISTING MEMBERS

    E-MAIL SERVER ISSUES

    We are currently experiencing issues with our outgoing email server, therefore EXISTING members will not be getting any alert emails, and NEW/PROSPECTIVE members will not receive the email they need to confirm their account. This matter has been escalated, however the technician responsible is currently on annual leave.For assistance, in the first instance, please PM any/all of the admin team (if you can), alternatively please send an email to:

    [email protected]

    We will endeavour to help as quickly as we can.
    Dismiss Notice

Not a great start

Discussion in 'NEW Gardeners !' started by gooseygoo, Nov 1, 2019.

Page 2 of 2
  1. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2006
    Messages:
    61,318
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired - Last Century!!!
    Location:
    Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
    Ratings:
    +118,350
    Garden compost and well rotted FYM will certainly help. This is the right time of year to dig it in. I wouldn't just leave it on the surface as you may need to improve the quality of the soil. A thin layer of compost can then be added to the surface.

    We have worked our garden with lots of trees etc. surrounding our veg plots. Digging in compost and FYM every Autumn/Winter has improved the condition and fertility of the soil. With regular improvement of the soil, and the digging that you do for it - removing any encroaching roots, should make it a good veg plot.

    Putting a barrier for the roots would certainly help but you could easily get by without it if you continue to improve the soil and dig well each year.

    Good luck :blue thumb:
     
    • Like Like x 1
      shiney, Nov 9, 2019
      #16 Quote in Conversation
    • gooseygoo

      gooseygoo Apprentice Gardener

      Joined:
      Oct 30, 2019
      Messages:
      10
      Ratings:
      +14
      Thanks ! Silly question but where would I get well rotted fym...is that something I need to find from a farmer or do garden centres sell that sort of thing?
       
      gooseygoo, Nov 9, 2019
      #17 Quote in Conversation
    • shiney

      shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

      Joined:
      Jul 3, 2006
      Messages:
      61,318
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Retired - Last Century!!!
      Location:
      Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
      Ratings:
      +118,350
      Don'y get it from a garden centre - don't think they do it and if they do it will be expensive.

      You need well rotted horse manure. You can normally get it either from a farm that has horses or from a stables. Stables are usually quite happy for you to come and get it free of charge.

      If it's not well rotted then you need to put it in your garden compost heap and leave for a year.

      We now have a friend who has Falabella horses (miniatures) and they bring the fresh manure for us. I just dig it in to the compost heaps.
       
      shiney, Nov 9, 2019
      #18 Quote in Conversation
    • gooseygoo

      gooseygoo Apprentice Gardener

      Joined:
      Oct 30, 2019
      Messages:
      10
      Ratings:
      +14
      OK...there are plenty of horsey folk around me so I will go and see. I once heard that horse manure isnt so good because of all the wormer residue thats in it? Does this go if well rotted?
       
      gooseygoo, Nov 9, 2019
      #19 Quote in Conversation
    • shiney

      shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

      Joined:
      Jul 3, 2006
      Messages:
      61,318
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Retired - Last Century!!!
      Location:
      Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
      Ratings:
      +118,350
      I don't know about that and am not sure how much they would use per horse, if they use it all. I never have any problems. I don't think I can attribute my two horns and long tail to that - can I? :heehee:
       
      • Funny Funny x 1
        shiney, Nov 9, 2019
        #20 Quote in Conversation
      • CarolineL

        CarolineL Total Gardener

        Joined:
        Jun 12, 2016
        Messages:
        1,616
        Gender:
        Female
        Occupation:
        Retired Software engineer
        Location:
        Rural Carmarthenshire
        Ratings:
        +4,325
        Hi @gooseygoo most people only worm their horses once a year (spring) or maybe autumn too. It's a very small amount by comparison with the mountains of grass the horses eat, and therefore the amount of poo they produce! The main problem I find is that you often get weed seedlings if it didn't rot hot enough to kill them. But they rake out easily enough, and the benefit outweighs the downside. Try to take some old compost bags or something to collect it - stables may not have bags themselves. I favour plastic trugs.
         
        • Like Like x 1
          CarolineL, Nov 9, 2019
          #21 Quote in Conversation
        • RobWar

          RobWar Apprentice Gardener

          Joined:
          Jun 30, 2021
          Messages:
          6
          Gender:
          Male
          Location:
          London
          Ratings:
          +3
          Hi. Can I ask a for some basic advice on a linked topic? I am in the process of double digging the garden of my new house. The soil level ends up a few inches higher than the original level because of all of the manure compost that I am digging in and because the soil is getting aerated as I go through. Do I have to wait for it to settle or can I start planting things now? If the former, how long should I wait? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
           
          RobWar, Jun 30, 2021
          #22 Quote in Conversation
        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

          Joined:
          Jun 3, 2008
          Messages:
          30,843
          Gender:
          Male
          Location:
          Surrey
          Ratings:
          +46,057
          Hi @RobWar, it depends on what you are planting, for veggies yes go ahead straight away after digging. Some crops like brassicas need firmer soil so you need to tread the soil around as your plant. For lawns you need to compact the soil before sowing.
           
          • Like Like x 1
            JWK, Jun 30, 2021
            #23 Quote in Conversation
          • RobWar

            RobWar Apprentice Gardener

            Joined:
            Jun 30, 2021
            Messages:
            6
            Gender:
            Male
            Location:
            London
            Ratings:
            +3
            Hi John. Many thanks for this. I am not big on growing edibles and the area in question was lawn, which I have removed. I will be putting in a variety of shrubs and a couple of small trees and smaller plants. Would you suggest that I go ahead and start planting now, but tread in the soil? Really appreciate your help. Rob
             
            RobWar, Jul 1, 2021
            #24 Quote in Conversation
          • JWK

            JWK Gardener Staff Member

            Joined:
            Jun 3, 2008
            Messages:
            30,843
            Gender:
            Male
            Location:
            Surrey
            Ratings:
            +46,057
            For lawns you do need to compact it well prior to seeding. Walk over it on your heels and use a long board or ladder to ensure it's level. There is no need to wait for it to compact naturally.

            Are you planning to turf or seed?

            For the ornamental borders there is no need to compact. Just ensure each shrub or plant is firmed in.
             
            JWK, Jul 1, 2021
            #25 Quote in Conversation
          • RobWar

            RobWar Apprentice Gardener

            Joined:
            Jun 30, 2021
            Messages:
            6
            Gender:
            Male
            Location:
            London
            Ratings:
            +3
            Hi John. Thanks again. I have decided not to have a lawn in the new garden, but this means that I can get on with planting stuff straight away, which is really exciting! Best, Rob
             
            • Like Like x 2
              RobWar, Jul 1, 2021
              #26 Quote in Conversation
            Page 2 of 2
            Loading...
            Similar Threads - great start
            1. Drahcir

              What to with an impending great surplus of...

              Drahcir, Aug 13, 2023, in forum: Edible Gardening
              Replies:
              12
              Views:
              1,145
              noisette47
              Aug 28, 2023
            2. wiseowl

              Woos walk Through Great Crabbles Wood

              wiseowl, Apr 6, 2022, in forum: Members Gallery
              Replies:
              8
              Views:
              652
              glengarry23
              Apr 8, 2022
            3. Lem

              Great little cacti encyclopaedia

              Lem, Nov 1, 2021, in forum: Cacti and Succulents
              Replies:
              6
              Views:
              674
              Michael Hewett
              Nov 1, 2021
            4. Shyamalie Satkunanandan

              Great leaning tower of roses

              Shyamalie Satkunanandan, Mar 6, 2021, in forum: Roses
              Replies:
              5
              Views:
              833
              ARMANDII
              Mar 6, 2021
            5. BarS

              Automatic ventilation in my greenhouse. Made a small improvement with 2 bottles of beer. Works great

              BarS, Feb 7, 2021, in forum: Greenhouse Growing
              Replies:
              8
              Views:
              1,016
              BarS
              Feb 9, 2021

            Share This Page

            1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
              By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
              Accept Learn More...
              Dismiss Notice