NPK what formulae ??

[Snadger]

Back on topic, I'm pondering on not using muck any more for my organic matter but bales of hay. Just pile on top as a mulch. I had loads in my first year and it made a tremendous difference to the soil quality and was easy to handle and apply. Could you get some, as well as your fertiliser, keat?

Sounds like the Ruth Stout system.

The Ruth Stout System of permanent hay mulching - [Veganic Agriculture Network]

If you can get a hold of any of her books they are worth a mint.

[Snoop Puss]

^Thanks, Snadger. I'll see what I can scout out. Stout - a woman after my own heart (and other regions).

Edited to add: via Amazon, I've found a copy of Gardening Without Work: For the Aging, the Busy, and the Indolent
All of which apply to me, especially 'indolent'. Now I have to find a great load of hay... Farmers here have started producing massive bales and they're not so easy to shift unless you have a tractor. Still, I can but ask. Either that or start haymaking, but that isn't for the ageing, busy or indolent. Anyway, many thanks for the recommendation.

[keat63]

Back on topic, I'm pondering on not using muck any more for my organic matter but bales of hay. Just pile on top as a mulch. I had loads in my first year and it made a tremendous difference to the soil quality and was easy to handle and apply. Could you get some, as well as your fertiliser, keat?

I don't have a trailer, so getting organic matter to the plot on my own would be troublesome.
There is a chap who brings down manure from a stable somewhere, but it's not well rotted, and it doesn't last long on the allotments.
Further to this, he dumps it right at the other end, so getting just a barrow full is a 10 minute job.

25kg of Growmore 777 is only about £18 delivered.
Split that between me and dad, it's only £9 each.
I'd hapilly spend £9 to save half a days work.

:-)

[Snoop Puss]

^Sounds like a plan, but in that case do you make compost on site to add organic matter as well?

[keat63]

we have a compost heap but nothing of any substance

[It never rains..it pours]

I use the below now rather than straight npk as it has sulphur and micronutrients too on no dig areas like established raspberries, etc , etc. Not too bad with dads 10% discount card

https://www.diy.com/departments/fert...1913691_BQ.prd
NPK (MgO + SO 3) - 13.3 - 6.1 - 17.1 (4.5 + 21.0); fertilizer also contains magnesium, sulfur, boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc

Only use horse manure now as soil improver where can dig it in and cover with 2" of soil as weeds from it are relentless if used just on top. Use seaweed to help solve this problem but dont over do due to salt

[ESBkevin]

There are many benefits to living soil in addition to just feeding the plants. Moisture control and regulating temperature in strong sunlight for example. Housing beneficial insects and micro organisms. Preventing compaction, less weeding, less watering etc.
Many people are fans of the No Dig method of gardening these days, but while the hard effort of digging or turning the soil is avoided along with hard weeding, you replace that effort with regular mulching with rotted manure and compost. Try to think of it as working differently rather than working in addition.
Moving manure and compost in the summer is generally easier because it's dry and lighter. But then you need to handle it twice because you need to pile it up and await autumn when it's the best time to spread it.
In terms of liquid fertilisers it's been mentioned that nettle tea, comfry tea and erm...'water thats passed by the management' are all great concentrates for gardening. The latter is also a great accelerator for compost making (I recommend applying a little to the compost heap at the end of the day and retireing).
By dispensing with deep digging you save the energy for gathering compostable materials. I'm about to start gathering bags of autumn leaves from the local school field and park. Steady accumulation is the key, after a year or so you might find you have a steady reliable supply of home made compost.

[rary]

I think I will skip the invite for dinner thanks...…………………………..

Have you ever looked to see where cow or horse manure comes from

[rary]

Sounds like the Ruth Stout system.

The Ruth Stout System of permanent hay mulching - [Veganic Agriculture Network]

If you can get a hold of any of her books they are worth a mint.

A very good link that Snadger, thanks for that

I use the below now rather than straight npk as it has sulphur and micronutrients too on no dig areas like established raspberries, etc , etc. Not too bad with dads 10% discount card

https://www.diy.com/departments/fert...1913691_BQ.prd
NPK (MgO + SO 3) - 13.3 - 6.1 - 17.1 (4.5 + 21.0); fertilizer also contains magnesium, sulfur, boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc

Only use horse manure now as soil improver where can dig it in and cover with 2" of soil as weeds from it are relentless if used just on top. Use seaweed to help solve this problem but dont over do due to salt

I use a lot of seaweed and never had any problems with salt, I collect it in bags take it home and dump it on the garden and have good fertility in the garden

[Snadger]

I don't have a trailer, so getting organic matter to the plot on my own would be troublesome.
There is a chap who brings down manure from a stable somewhere, but it's not well rotted, and it doesn't last long on the allotments.
Further to this, he dumps it right at the other end, so getting just a barrow full is a 10 minute job.

25kg of Growmore 777 is only about £18 delivered.
Split that between me and dad, it's only £9 each.
I'd hapilly spend £9 to save half a days work.

:-)

You will be adding fertiliser but no organic matter to the soil. You will not enhance the structure or texture of the soil and do nothing for the worm population.
In the short term you will increase productivity but at the expense of long term good soil husbandry.
Each to there own though and if you feel this is the way to go, go for it.

Can I suggest that when digging the soil you turn in the weeds, that way you will be adding at least some organic matter and the worms will thank you for it.
Green manures can be another way of adding nutrients and organic matter.