Most soils are always in need of improvement at some time, and it can also be said; some soils more than others.
To some gardeners; this can be quite daunting, particularly when they find that there is no simple cure all method to suit every situation.
This situation can be further aggravated when they (the gardener/s) listen and/or read the comments of the gardening media and/or press who; in the interest of commercialism, describe a product/s in a manner that suggests it is a cure for all.
It is hoped the following list will help to address this anomaly.
A word of warning; always follow the instructions on the packaging of commercial products.
Sometimes giving in excess of the stated dose can be worse than not giving the plants anything at all.
Basic slag;
Is a source of Phosphate for crops such as legumes & root crops.
Apply in autumn or winter to heavy and peaty soils,
Rate; 4 oz. per sq. yd., (100gms per sq.metre)
Bone meal;
A slow-release fertilizer, high in phosphorus (phosphate)
Apply in autumn to heavy and peaty soils,
Rate; 4 oz. per sq. yd.,(100gms per sq.metre)
Cow manure;
Is an excellent bulky soil conditioner that helps to retain moisture in light sandy soil.
Apply late winter early spring.
Rate; Approx. 15 sq yds (12 sq metres) per barrowful.
Decayed vegetable matter;
- Result of disease free green vegetable peelings deposited in compost heap.
- It supplies various nutrients and humus.
- Rate; Dig in approximately one spit deep (8"-12") (200-300mm)
Dried Blood;
- A fast-acting nitrogen feed suited to leafy subjects such as brassicas.
- Hoe in; in spring and summer.
- Rate; ½oz per sq yd (12 gms per sq metre)
Fish, blood and bone;
- A general balanced fertiliser.
- Rake in prior to planting.
- Rate; 4 oz. per sq. Yd. (100gms per sq.metre)
Fowl droppings;
- A good source of nitrogen and potash.
- Prior to its use; it should be mixed with equal parts soil and allowed to dry.
- Hoe in resulting powder spring and summer.
- Rate; 4 oz. per sq. yd. (100gms per sq.metre)
Alternatively; Place the fresh droppings (see rate below) in a string/hessian bag and immerse in a barrel of water for a few weeks.
Rate; add 4oz (100gms) to a gallon (5 litres) of clean water.
Goat droppings;
- Dig in to the soil during winter,
- Rate; 1lb per sq yd (1.6 kg per sq metre)
Alternatively; Place the fresh droppings (see rate below) in a string/hessian bag and immerse in a barrel of water for a few weeks.
Rate; add 8oz (200gms) to a gallon (5 litres) of clean water.
Green Manure;
- Sow Mustard & Rape in early summer
- Sow vetches in September.
- Dig in top growth in late autumn.
- Ditto the following spring.
Ground Lime;
- This is powdered quicklime; Apply to heavy clay soils.
- Allow it to slake on surface before forking it in.
- Rate; 8oz per sq yd (30 gms per sq metre)
Ground Limestone; (Carbonate of lime)
- Powdered chalk for light & sandy solis
- Rate; 1lb per sq yd (1.6 kg per sq metre )
Hoof and horn meal;
- Is a slow release nitrogen feed.
- Rate; 4 oz. per sq. yd.,(100gms per sq.metre)
Horse droppings;
- Apply to heavy soil in late autumn and spring for lighter soils.
- Rate; Approx. 15 sq yds (12 sq metres) per barrowful
Hydrated Lime; (Calcium hydroxide)
- Water slaked quicklime is suitable for both heavy & light soils.
- Apply at the rates indicated on the packaging.
Kainit;
- For plants requiring Potash.
- Apply in autumn or winter only.
- Rate; 3 oz per sq yd.(70 gms per metre)
Lime;
- Ground chalk & ground limestone are excellent for correcting acidity.
- Hydrated lime is fast-acting but is easily washed out of the soil.
- Magnesium limestone (Dolomite) is source of magnesium and lime.
Magnesium sulphate; (Epsom salts)
- Use to correct magnesium deficiency.
- Top dress in spring at a rate of 1oz per sq yd (25gms per sq m)
Alternatively; Foliar feed as required
Rate; add ½oz (12gms) to a litre of clean water.
Nitrate of Potash; (Saltpetre)
- Contains potash and nitrogen, and is ideal for legumes.
- Solid rate; 1oz per sq yd (25 gms per sq metre)
- Liquid rate; add 1oz (25gms) to a gallon (5 litres) of clean water.
Nitrate of Soda;
- This provides nitrogen to the soil which is suited to leafy subjects such as brassicas.
- Hoe in; in spring and summer.
- Rate; ½oz per sq yd (12 gms per sq metre)
Pig manure;
- Is an excellent bulky soil conditioner for retaining moisture in light sandy soils.
- Apply late winter early spring
- Rate; Approx. 15 sq yds (12 sq metres) per barrowful
Pigeon droppings;
- A good source of nitrogen and potash.
- Prior to its use; it should be mixed with equal parts soil and allowed to dry.
- Hoe in resulting powder spring and summer.
- Rate; 4 oz. per sq. yd. (100gms per sq.metre)
Alternatively; Place the fresh droppings (see rate below) in a string/hessian bag and immerse in a barrel of water for a few weeks.
Rate; add 4oz (100gms) to a gallon (5 litres) of clean water.
Quicklime; (Calcium oxide)
- Apply to heavy clay soils.
- Allow it to slake on surface before forking it in
- Rate; 8oz per sq yd (30 gms per sq metre)
Rabbit droppings;
- Dig in to the soil during winter,
- Rate; 1lb per sq yd (1.6 kg per sq metre) or;
Alternatively; Place the fresh droppings (see rate below) in a string/hessian bag and immerse in a barrel of water for a few weeks.
Rate; add 8oz (200gms) per gallon (5 litres) of clean water.
Seaweed;
- Seaweed; is a valuable substitute for manure, the bladder and drift seaweeds are the best kinds
- It is rich in potash and almost lacking in phosphates.
- Analysis varies according to variety.
- An average for fresh seaweed is; nitrogen 0.3% (7lb/ ton), phosphoric acid 0.1% (2lb/ ton), potash 1 % (20lb/ton).
- It can be used wet (as collected) or dried.
- Dig it in quite deeply during winter to supply humus and potash to the soil.
- Rate; 6kg (15lbs) per sq metre wet, or 2kg (5lb) per sq metre dried.
Soot;
- Allow to weather before use to disperse chemicals such as sulphur.
- Dig in or water in during Spring & Summer
- Solid rate; 4oz per sq yd (100gms per sq metre)
- Liquid rate; 8oz (200gms) per gallon (5 litres)of clean water.
Spent hops;
- As obtained from breweries.
- This provides humus to light soils.
- Dig liberal amounts into the soil at any time of the year.
Sulphate of Ammonia;
- A very fast-acting nitrogen feed suited to leafy subjects such as brassicas.
- Hoe in; in spring and summer.
- Rate; 1oz per sq yd (25 gms per sq metre)
- Liquid rate; add 1oz (25gms) per gallon (5 litres) of clean water.
Sulphate of Potash;
- Is a first class source of potash.
- Solid rate; 1oz per sq yd (25 gms per sq metre)
- Liquid rate; add 1oz (25gms) per gallon (5 litres) of clean water.
Superphosphate;
- Is a concentrated phosphorus (phosphate) supply for crops such as legumes & root crops.
- Apply in autumn or winter to heavy and peaty soils,
- Solid rate;2 oz. per sq. yd.,(50gms per sq.metre)
- Liquid rate;1 oz per sq yd (25gms per sq metre)
Wood Ash;
- Wood ash from a bonfire or wood burning stove is a useful soil improver.
- The type of wood burned can have different results; e.g.
- Ash from untreated wood has a slight liming action and can be used to raise soil pH.
- Ash produced from young sappy growth contains potassium and traces of other nutrients.
- On the other hand; older mature wood tends to contain lower concentrations of nutrients.
- The actual nutrient content of ash varies so precise application is difficult, listed below are a few suggestions;
- Where ash contains large particles, it is probably best to dig this in to improve the structure of the soil.
- Adding finer ash to the compost heap / bin in thin layers will allow it to blend with other materials.
Alternatively; rake the fine ash into the surface of the soil if you are sure of its content.(see note below)
Note In the event that some unknown product with toxic properties may have been burned along with the wood, it is probably safer to allow ash to ‘weather’ in a heap for a few weeks, before spreading it around growing plants.
Coal ash;
- Is best avoided because it has a negligible nutrient content and its fine particle size means it is of little benefit to soil structure, plus, it may contain toxic by-products.