Raised beds full up!

tippben · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 10:47 am Post subject: Raised beds full up!

Some of my 8" high raised beds are full to the brim, so it'll be hard to add any more organic matter to them this year, except as a very light top dressing. What can I use over the autumn and winter, and next year to add fertility? Fish blood and bone I use already. Could I use chicken pellets as well?

On a related issue, I use a lot of maxicrop seaweed liquid, and nettle brew. Can anyone recommend a good organic liquid fertiliser? I found one in Woodies, but it said that it shouldn't be applied to foliage, which seemed a bit impractical!

tippben · Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 1:44 am Post subject:

Nobody has any thoughts?

kindredspirit · Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 5:57 am Post subject:

OK, you've stung us into action! Laughing

Fill a plastic dustbin half to three quarters full of warm water. Stuff the dustbin up with nettles. Give 'em a good mushing. Leave to brew for 2 to 3 weeks. Then dip your bucket in and draw off the liquid and pour over your vegetable beds.

Maeve Drogheda · Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 12:18 pm Post subject:

An alternative to the nettles is Seaweed or comfrey. Same method, large bucket or bin filled with warm water and fill with seaweed or comfrey. Can be diluted and used through out the year to feed plants.

I have seen Monty Don on the BBC using the comfrey tea (thats what he called it) all summer to feed the soil and the veg.

WARNING: can be very smelly!!

tunnelsofhens10 · Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 10:08 pm Post subject:

Chicken pellets! thats what you want next year, will feed any thing in the garden, but, after that? well I"m loath to lecture oak and silver birch,but I"m sure you"ll know that barring a compost heap or two,(To throw the spent soil and garden waste) you will have to replenish or replace the soil. Sorry for stating the obivous.