A search for vegetable fiber

I am looking for decayed vegetable fiber to mix into rock garden soil, like peat or leaf mold. Every single rock garden book recommends mixing it in, but I just cannot find it anywhere.

How do people make rock gardens? Is there any way of getting this vege fiber or something similar?

 

You could go to your local garden centre and buy a bag of peat I suppose.:hehe: However, in the wild, would rocky areas have access to peat ( a marshland product ) or leafmould ( a woodland product )?:gnthb:

 

No expert here. I think on this one Palustrus is your man - and I hope he will be along.

I don't know what books recommended adding leaf mould or peat to rock gardens but as a general rule rock and alpine plants like the ground on the alkaline side and very free draining. Think about where they grow out there in nature - clinging to rock faces.

Peat, leaf mould etc will increase the acidity of the soil.

For rock plants - alpines - I dig the soil out and mix it 50/50 with small gravel and plant into that, then top dress it with gravel.

I'm sure Palustrus will be along to sat yeah or nay.

 

Dear Alice. That's what I was not sure about but if you search "rock garden soil" you will get the instructions of the golden ratio including peat. Look at the quote below for instance.

so you just mix garden soil and gravel 50/50? No sand at all? Do you ever provide any fertilizer, although I know rock plants don't like fertile soil? How are your plants doing with this mixture?

Quote:

For our third ingredient, we add humus or decayed vegetable matter, which is found almost invariably in soils in which rock plants grow. This material holds an additional supply of moisture, besides furnishing some plant food. For supplying humus, granulated peat moss is best. It is so slightly acidic that only the extreme lime-loving plants object to it, and it absorbs and holds more moisture than any similar material.

 

I suppose it depends what kind of garden soil you're starting with. My soil is a slightly sandy loam so no, I don't use any sand. On the other hand if it was a heavy clay then I wouldn't argue with the advice above. I don't grow rock plants in a big way, just a few, and they do very well. Good luck with the project.

 

You could try local schools or any catering establishment
For waste food matter, if you live near a forest there would be plenty of leaf and other matter around trees, you could dig up,

If you have a magot farm nearby ask fisermen about this
As magot farms have waste piles thar are full of bonemeal and other matter that is excellent for what you are looking for,

Aother way is make a compost pile using old cardboard newspapers sawdust, autum leaves right time of year for it, Mix in some horse manure kitchen food waste earth worms, Pile it all up together cover it over with a bit of plastic maybe some old carpet over the top,

Then in the spring eureca you have the perfect compost for what you need, hope this helps,

 

Whether you've it tested or draw your own conclusions, determine its needs for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and trace elements. Use your own experience or ask a veteran gardener to educate you about any particular amendments that local soils need, such as lime if there's too much lime then balance the soil with compost or using elemental organic fertilizers - they've only one or two ingredients per bag.

Find local sources for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and trace elements and further your commitment to the organic attitude. Improve your soil by adding organic matter to gain balance and two important benefits: more water retention and better drainage.

Use animal manures for their combination of organic matter and nutrients, along with at least one other organic matter, such as compost, ground bark, leaf mould or peat moss. Now there will be a problem with peat moss within the close future as the quantity of beneficial usage that it has,

Peat moss is being used to excessively by gardeners that we might diminish the available stock, There has been talks in Europe about this, If you use peat moss in your potting plants attempt saving it and putting it in your composting bin recycle it.