Getting your seeds off to the best start this year

[Sheneval]

I don't have an allotment though Just a large garden

VC - I think the Firm has still to come to sensible terms with the move from the Farming Market to the Gardening Market in their pricing policy, by maintaining high prices for smaller amounts whilst providing considerable economies of scale for larger amounts.

We have enough problems at our allotment site with getting people to join together to buy manure - last time it happened it was a disaster with many not paying but helping themselves. This time 6 of us have agreed to purchase same and will ensure we are there to get the lot when it arrives

Because I am just starting, and wish to improve the soil asap, I am taking the opportunity to see what happens and I may buy some of VVG's rock dust as well so that I can make comparisons with each as opposed to just between Biochar and compost and mulches.

Had my plot been a few years down the road like my garden where my soil is in good condition I doubt if I would have bothered. However, I may add some to some of my summer bedding plants in the garden just to see if any difference results.

If there is truly a long term value from the 'Green' point of view in using Biochar, perhaps the Government should be looking to encourage farmers, allotment holders and gardeners to use these products by subsidising them.

[veggiechicken]

I'll be very interested in your test results Shen as I know you're very methodical and you have no bias The closest I'm likely to come is adding wood ash and charcoal from the woodburner and bonfire to my ground - but since I've always done that anyway I shan't be able to tell the difference

[binley100]

I've read through all this thread and have come to the conclusion that although it sounds like a magical potion it is way too expensive for improving the soil of my 20 rod lottie.. So it'll be free llama poop, homemade compost, leaf mould and wood ash with a glug of comfrey tea thrown in for good measure .

[Sheneval]

VC - Thanks - Had I been nearer to you I would have dropped off a sample to allow you to test it yourself. In fact 100g should not cost too much to post so I'll send you some when I get it and you can use the 5g per plant method and see happens.

If you look at the results of 'mulching with woodchips' you will see that there are considerable benefits to be gained from same - some as high as 25% increase over normal good practice.

[VirginVegGrower]

I'll be very interested in your test results Shen as I know you're very methodical and you have no bias The closest I'm likely to come is adding wood ash and charcoal from the woodburner and bonfire to my ground - but since I've always done that anyway I shan't be able to tell the difference

All of these things add structure to the soil and I guess the old Amazonians used it because it was left over improved soil underneath years of cooking areas. We all know what woodland soil is like when nature's top rot works down and we apply those principles to our gardens. Like wood ash, leaf mold, rotted wood, etc. I won't be using in bulk, but will just try a little pack in a pot or two - maybe even in a potato bag versus a non Biochar bag.
I like my Rockdust and have no axe to grind either way. My free draining soil needs my homemade compost and guarenteed herbicide free muck as it needs moisture retention help. I also throw chopped nettles, green manures and comfrey leaves at it as they are pretty much free resource.

[Sheneval]

VVG - I have read great things about rock dust - where do you get yours from? B&Q - Homebase?

I see it at B&Q - price very reasonable

[veggiechicken]

Thanks for the offer Shen but I'm not as methodical as you - as you will have noticed
We all add whatever we can get hold of to our soil to improve it, so its a balance between cost/effectiveness. Terra preta may stay in the soil for 1000s of years - but I shan't be gardening then!!
Lightbulb moment - no wonder the rose gardens at the crematorium always look so good

[Sheneval]

Methodical? - I thought Hap and Hazard were your middle names

[VirginVegGrower]

Thanks for the offer Shen but I'm not as methodical as you - as you will have noticed
We all add whatever we can get hold of to our soil to improve it, so its a balance between cost/effectiveness. Terra preta may stay in the soil for 1000s of years - but I shan't be gardening then!!
Lightbulb moment - no wonder the rose gardens at the crematorium always look so good

All that blood and bone and ummm ash

Sheneval - I use the Seer bag from Garden Organic Ryton, although they are usually at the Edible Show too. The B and Q Verve stuff is exactly the same Seer stuff - just branded for them. But it's from your neck of the woods. I am quite wowed by the size of my onions and the amount of fruit we had last year - in the end! Those were the two beds it went on. It has gone into my polytunnel and in Spring it's going on this year's allium bed. It was a bit of a suck it and see situation but I found it great and decided to trial again this year after receiving a surprise birthday present from a good friend

[veggiechicken]

I'm so HappyHazard that I've just remembered that I have a bag of 450g Rockdust that a friend gave me to try Apply 1 tabsp to a 2 ltr pot or hanging basket.

[Sheneval]

All that blood and bone and ummm ash

Sheneval - I use the Seer bag from Garden Organic Ryton, although they are usually at the Edible Show too. The B and Q Verve stuff is exactly the same Seer stuff - just branded for them. But it's from your neck of the woods. I am quite wowed by the size of my onions and the amount of fruit we had last year - in the end! Those were the two beds it went on. It has gone into my polytunnel and in Spring it's going on this year's allium bed. It was a bit of a suck it and see situation but I found it great and decided to trial again this year after receiving a surprise birthday present from a good friend

VVG - many thanks I'll get a couple of bags from B&Q and try some of it on the onion bed etc. - if I don't have the best onions on the site at least I'll be in the running for the best soil

[bazzaboy]

Terra preta may stay in the soil for 1000s of years - but I shan't be gardening then!!

You will in spirit, Cherub! In the words of dear old Dylan you'll still be the force that through the green fuse drives the flower! x

[veggiechicken]

I like the thought of being useful when I'm 1000 years old - probably grow much better veg then than I do now

[Carbon Gold]

OK thanks for that. I may get some to trial in the bottom of planting out holes and to try alongside a peat free compost. I will post results here later.

It would be great to hear your results VirginVegGrower

[Carbon Gold]

Perhaps allotment societies could bulk purchase for their members?

This is something we would love to see happen although I realise that some allotment groups are more organised / cooperative than others.