Square foot gardening - which compost?

[Rapscallion]

Hi All,

I am doing my fist ‘square foot garden’. Mels mix asks for vermiculite, peat and compost. I am slightly overwhelmed by the compost choices in my local garden centre . Which compost would you use, the multipurpose compost, soil improver or farmyard manure? I also have access to some chicken manure, so can add that into the mix also.

[Tiny Allotment]

I would buy a selection of different composts and mix them together

Paul

[maverick451]

I think what they call compost in the US is slightly different from what we call compost in the UK

Uk composts have high peat content so you dont need that much extra peat.

I would think a 50/50 mix of vermiculite and multi purpose compose with high peat content would work great, maybe even better with the odd bag of rotted manure thrown in as well

[Rapscallion]

Thanks both, I did notice that some of the composts were called 'soil based', and some mentioned peat in their ingredients. I already have the peat I need, so bought 2 bags of farmyard manure, and 1 bag of soil improver - will this be OK?

I will also be getting some chicken manure off a relative in the next few days. Can I just sprinkle this on top of the bed after planting seeds, or do I need to mix in before planting?

[veggiechicken]

Hi Rapscallion and welcome to the Forum.
If the chicken manure is fresh, you'll need to compost it before you use it. Its very strong.

[Rapscallion]

Hi Rapscallion and welcome to the Forum.
If the chicken manure is fresh, you'll need to compost it before you use it. Its very strong.

Hi - All I know about the chicken manure / compost is that it is bagged. I think it is composted already, but will know more when I pick it up.

[veggiechicken]

Unless its poultry manure pellets (commercial stuff) you should add it to your compost bin ( if you have one!)

[Bigmallly]

I have in the past & am at present growing in SFG. The beds get no special treatment to conventional beds, for me it's about getting the most out of the space along with companion planting. I'm also trying out the Back To Eden method this year which involves the use of woodchips as a mulch.

[Rapscallion]

Unless its poultry manure pellets (commercial stuff) you should add it to your compost bin ( if you have one!)

I have a compost bin, but I think I have ruined it.. (not sure how) the mix is very damp and 'sludgy', I think it got wet, and my mix of green:brown may have been off.

[Bigmallly]

I have a compost bin, but I think I have ruined it.. (not sure how) the mix is very damp and 'sludgy', I think it got wet, and my mix of green:brown may have been off.

Add some more cardboard or paper if you have any.

[Rapscallion]

Add some more cardboard or paper if you have any.

I added some a few months ago, haven't taken a good looks since! I shall turn the compost this weekend and take a looks to how it looks.

PS will the farmyard manure and soil improver be OK to add to the peat and vermiculite to make up the mels mix?

[Bigmallly]

Only if the Manure is well rotted & you don't want to grow Parsnips & Carrots in it.

[Rapscallion]

Only if the Manure is well rotted & you don't want to grow Parsnips & Carrots in it.

It is bagged 'farmyard manure' from wyevale, do you know what that is like?

Why not parsnips and carrots?

[Bigmallly]

Have never bought Manure, it's far too easy to source free. Parsnips & Carrots have a tendency to twist if grown in Manure.

[Rapscallion]

Have never bought Manure, it's far too easy to source free. Parsnips & Carrots have a tendency to twist if grown in Manure.

How strange, cheers Bigmally!