When best to add fertiliser

[Pies]

Hi all im deciding when best to add fertiliser.Im being told to add the manure,which is well rotted,in september.I think its better to add it in March

Am I right or wrong

TIA

[FionaH]

I add mine (horse muck) in Autumn so the frost and the worms can break it down prior to planting in the Spring. I may well be wrong though

[King Carrot]

I generally try to add fertilzer a week or so before I plant out - hopefully enough time to get it working and not enough time for it to leech away in the rain

[oldie]

Depends on what you mean by fertiliser. If you are talking about manure (cow/horse) then all the advice I've had is to add it in the Autumn. Things like Bone Meal or Fish,Blood and Bone I would rake in two or three weeks before planting/sowing.

[Incy]

My friend does both. He reckons you can never have too much muck so puts it on in autumn and again in spring. Having eaten some of his produce it's certainly not doing any harm

[Alison]

Manure in the autumn if possible but general fertilisers a couple of weeks before you plant - that's what I do anyway and it seems to work. It's best not to over fertilise though as it can muck up the balance of your soil.

[bazzaboy]

Interesting question, P, but maybe no simple answer... These days there are professional muck spreaders who specialise in offering particular services to farmers (increasingly scientific of course), and we should note they are busy throughout the year - suggesting it's as much the demands of a particular crop and sowing sequence as any particular month. They are now fast approaching their busiest season as general harvesting is underway/completed, farmers not being inclined to leave their main asset in limbo for a moment longer than necessary. b.

[Alison]

Bazzaboy - using farmers as an example isn't necessarily relevant as a large percentage of farmers in this country grow intensively and in mono cultures therefore need to feed the plant all the time. Most of us on here (as is common amongst many GYOers) try to grow in a more sustainable manner by working to keep the soil healthy which means that we get healthy plants without the constant need to feed.

[zazen999]

Hi all im deciding when best to add fertiliser.Im being told to add the manure,which is well rotted,in september.I think its better to add it in March

Am I right or wrong

TIA

What is your reasoning behind the difference?

[Pies]

What is your reasoning behind the difference?

Well adding manure before winter, the rains will wash out alot of the nutrients.The frost will still break up the ground.There will be less nutrients for early weeds to feed on.

If you add the manure a few weeks before planting,you will get any early weeds out lighten the soil by digging, and your plants have access to all the nutrients

Having said all that i've just finished preparing my bed for brassicas as they like firm ground